US Airways joins Delta in refunding ticket taxes paid before FAA shutdown

By Associated Press

2:37 p.m. CDT, August 2, 2011

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — US Airways Group Inc. says it will offer direct refunds of ticket taxes that travelers paid before the taxes lapsed on July 23.

The taxes can add up to $60 or more on a $300 round-trip ticket. They stopped when the Federal Aviation Administration partially shut down. Travelers who bought tickets before the shutdown but flew during it are due a refund.

Some airlines have been telling travelers to ask the IRS for a refund. The IRS has asked airlines to refund the money directly. Delta said on Monday that it would offer direct refunds, and US Airways joined them on Tuesday.

Most airlines raised fares by the amount of the taxes, so travelers have been paying the same amount during the FAA shutdown as they did previously.

View the original article here