DOT To Begin Charging Security Tax To Cover Costs The U.S. federal government next month plans to begin charging a $2.50 fee to all air travelers to cover the government's aviation security costs. The new security fee was authorized in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which was signed into law on Nov. 19. DOT on Monday issued an interim final rule that imposes the fee, beginning Feb. 1. Under the rule, direct air carriers, both domestic and foreign, will be responsible for collecting the tax for passenger enplanements from U.S. airports. The airlines would send the money to DOT's new Transportation Security Administration. The agency plans to consider comments on this interim final rule received in the rulemaking docket through March 1. "The funds raised through this September 11 Security Fee will be used to implement new aviation security measures," said Secretary Norman Mineta. According to the DOT budget office, about $900 million would be raised from the new tax in fiscal year 2002. The money will help pay for passenger and baggage screeners, security managers and law enforcement staff at airports, as well as the purchase of explosives detection systems. Copyright 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.