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Transportation Security Fees

Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee - Air Carrier Fee

As directed by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the major responsibilities of airline passenger and baggage screening is now handled by our agency. To assist in paying for the increased aviation security, Congress provided us with the authority to charge airlines a fee equal to their costs of passenger and baggage screening in 2000, to the extent that the September 11 Security Fee was insufficient to cover the agency's costs for aviation security. Airlines pay one-twelfth per month of their 2000 screening costs to TSA.

• Air Carrier Payment Instructions
  This document provides complete information for remittance of the security fee.

Regulations

• Interim Final Rule (pdf, 238kb)
  Federal Regulation that implements the Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee. This document provides additional guidance regarding the completion of the required Appendix A and independent audit.
• Appendix A to part 1511 (doc, 96KB)
  Form required to be submitted by air carriers (included in the Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee regulation) identifying security functions to determine the level of the fee for each carrier
• Additional Guidance on the Completion of the Appendix and Independent Audit (doc, 48kb)
  This document provides additional guidance regarding the completion of the required Appendix A and independent audit.
• Audit Deadline Notice (pdf, 30kb)
  This document provides the final guidance for the deadline of the independent audit submission.
• Docket for Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee Rulemaking
  Web site used for the rulemaking process. provides a link to all information (public comments, guidance, regulations, etc.) available for public review. Enter 11334 into the "Docket Number" search field. A complete listing of all related documents will be generated. Select the appropriate file type to view any of the documents.
• ASIF Continuation Notice (pdf, 28kb)
  This document notice informs all domestic and foreign air carriers currently required to pay the Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee, until further notice.

June 2010 Refund Information

• Court Ruling (pdf, 67kb)
  Decision issued by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on February 3, 2009.
• Non-passenger Screening Cost Study (pdf, 1.9mb)
  This document was prepared by SH&E Inc., an ICF International Company, an independent contractor retained by TSA. The study details the figures and methodology that was utilized to determine non-passenger screening costs incurred by air carriers during calendar year 2000.
• Calendar Year 2000 Screened Passenger Methodology (pdf, 51kb)
  This document was prepared by SH&E Inc., an ICF International Company, an independent contractor retained by TSA. The document details the methodology used to determine the number of screened passengers in calendar year 2000.
• Checkpoint Cost Simulation Methodology (pdf, 76kb)
  This document was prepared by SH&E Inc., an ICF International Company, an independent contractor retained by TSA. The document details the methodology used to calculate checkpoint operations costs incurred by air carriers to screen ticketed passengers in calendar year 2000.
• Frequently Asked Questions (pdf, 50kb)
  Questions and Answers on the June 22, 2010 Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee refunds.

January 2006 Underpayment Information

• Review of Air Carriers' Year 2000 Passenger and Property and Screening Costs (pdf, 260kb)
  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a study of the passenger and property screening costs incurred by air carriers in calendar year 2000 pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005, P.L. 108-334.
• Evaluation of Calendar Year 2000 Airline Costs for Passenger and Property Screening (pdf, 1.5 MB)
  This methodology document was prepared by Simat, Helliesen & Eichner, Inc., an independent contractor retained by the Government Accountability Office to assist in the study of the passenger and property screening costs incurred by air carriers during calendar year 2000.
• Calendar Year 2000 Screened Passengers Methodology (pdf, 205kb)
  This methodology document was also prepared for the Government Accountability Office by Simat, Helliesen & Eichner, Inc. This document provides additional detailed methodology used to determine the number of screened passengers in calendar year 2000.
• Frequently Asked Questions
  Questions and Answers on the January 3, 2006 Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee letters.

Future Changes

• Docket for Comments on Possible Changes to the Imposition of the Security Fee
  Web site used to capture information regarding possible changes to the imposition of the Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee. Provides a link to all public comments received by TSA. Enter 16345 into the "Docket Number" search field. A complete listing of all related documents will be generated. Select the appropriate file type to view any of the documents.
• Request for Comments on Possible Changes to the Imposition of the Security Fee (pdf, 38kb)
  This is a Federal Register Notice communicating TSA's request for public comment regarding a possible revision to the implementation of the Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee.