Albany Times Union

Passenger fee hike sought for repairs

Facing massive losses, airports want charges to cover “critical needs”

- By Eric Anderson

Airports are expected to lose as much as $40 billion through March 22 as travel has tumbled during the pandemic, an industry trade group said in a report released early Wednesday. Airports Council Internatio­nal — North America also estimates that the nation’s airports will need to spend $115 billion on its backlog of infrastruc­ture projects over the next five years.

And it wants the Passenger

Facility Charge paid on each segment of a trip to be increased from the current $4.50 maximum, a figure that hasn’t changed in 20 years.

“These projects would help address critical needs while improving the passenger experience, increasing convenienc­e, fostering competitio­n, and hardening our health infrastruc­ture to handle future health and safety challenges,” said Kevin Burke, ACI-NA president and CEO, in an introducti­on to the report. “The number doesn’t take into account the billions of dollars in projects that airports have deferred beyond the five

Goldberg said.

“People are most fascinated by the unities. They are hand made in Ghana. They come with a hand-crafted stand and bowl with carvings,” Goldberg said. “It is the symbol of love and unity… The bowl itself can be used in the kitchen, or just for decoration­s, coffee table, a bowl for keys. It serves multiple purposes.”

Goldberg was born and raised in Togo, West Africa. She purchases the items from artists and vendors from other West African countries.

 ?? Lori Van Buren / Times Union ?? West Africa Treasures is located on the lower level across from the Apple store in Crossgates Mall.
Lori Van Buren / Times Union West Africa Treasures is located on the lower level across from the Apple store in Crossgates Mall.

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