Reducing the federal deficit is important, that I understand. But to go after one of the least profitable and heavily taxed industries around is incredibly foolish.

Here's a copy of a letter I sent to congress members representing Minnesota. 

October 24, 2011

Dear Representative Kline, Senator Franken, and Senator Klobuchar,

I am a constituent and an employee of __________, and I am writing to request that you oppose any additional taxes or fees on commercial aviation.

My industry already pays more than its fair share of taxes - more than the alcohol or tobacco industries, whose products are taxed at high levels to discourage their use.

Today, taxes and fees on a typical $300 round-trip ticket already account for more than $60 or 20 percent of the total cost. And those taxes have been growing. In 1993, the industry's tax burden was $3.7 billion, excluding income taxes. Today it is $17 billion.

New taxes would place a significant new burden on my airline and our customers, even as we cope with volatile jet fuel prices and an unsteady economy.

Keep in mind that the airline industry is critical to the nation's economic health. Commercial aviation drives more than $1 trillion in economic activity and more than 5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product each year.

Ensuring that airlines do not suffer an increased tax burden is a key issue for my company's 80,000 employees, who depend on the health of our airline to support our families. I would respectfully request your strong and active opposition to any new taxes or fees on aviation, airlines and our customers.

Sincerely,
Bradley Johnston

For further reading, refer to http://www.stopairtaxnow.com/

Update 10/26: Nothing from Senator Klobuchar, an email from Senator Franken stating he receives several thousand messages each week, and one from Representative Kline stating he also opposes such a tax.