In 1970 only 1,800 aircraft roamed the skies, but in the past four decades there has been a dramatic increase of aircrafts reaching numbers of 18,000 – and that’s not the end. Another 9,000 private jets are predicted to be up and running in the next decade, especially with the introduction of very light jets.

The increase in corporate travel means more money for the manufacturers and pilot training companies, and more comfort for fliers – but high-end travel doesn’t come without a price.

Airspace taxes start a squabble

According to an article by Coco Masters in TIME magazine, groups such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and commercial airlines are arguing that not only are corporate jets congesting air traffic, but that they aren’t taking fiscal responsibility. Currently, the ticket that commercial passengers buy doesn’t just pay for a seat and peanuts, but for six different types of taxes that are included.

Private jet companies are taxed too – but they pay only a fraction (6%) of the fees. Critics say private jet companies should be held accountable for at least 20% of the costs that use of the Air Traffic Control system incurs.

A couple of options to address this unbalance are to completely revamp the ATC system and to use satellite GPS technology – allowing for lower costs. Congress is also considering a user-fee system, ultimately forcing corporate jets to pay for what they use. As to whether these steps will actually force corporate jets to start taking accountability, we will have to wait and see.

Read Helium Report’s independent Guide to Private Jet Travel for more on private jets and key questions to ask of private jet companies.

Note to Readers: Halogen Guides is the new name of Helium Report.