Earth Equity News

High-Flying Free Riders. Commentary by David Bollier, OnTheCommons.org, April 15, 2010. "Private jets are one of the most piggish forms of conspicuous consumption imaginable. The private jet is not only a symbol of extreme privilege and exclusivity, it imposes significant costs on the air travel system, taxpayers, shareholders and the environment... The owners and passengers of private jets are free riders in other significant ways. Commercial aviation pays 95% of air traffic control costs even though it uses only 73% of FAA services -- while general aviation (corporate jets, air taxis, recreational pilots) use 16% of the services but pay only 3% of the costs. The owners and passengers of private jets are free riders in other significant ways. Commercial aviation pays 95% of air traffic control costs even though it uses only 73% of FAA services -- while general aviation (corporate jets, air taxis, recreational pilots) use 16% of the services but pay only 3% of the costs... The owners and passengers of private jets are free riders in other significant ways. Commercial aviation pays 95% of air traffic control costs even though it uses only 73% of FAA services -- while general aviation (corporate jets, air taxis, recreational pilots) use 16% of the services but pay only 3% of the costs."