House and Senate bills have been introduced by Massachusetts legislators that would impose a $1,000 landing fee on private and commercial general aviation operations and repeal the 6.25 percent state sales tax exemption on aircraft purchases.
The bills to repeal the 15-year-old tax exemption—H2923 and S1797—are not the first such efforts by Massachusetts lawmakers. All previous attempts have failed, primarily because of input by general aviation advocates. In reference to the latest bills, NBAA noted that a 2019 study of the economic impact of the state’s airports “demonstrated that the exemption is critical to a strong general aviation industry.”
Meanwhile, S2305, which would impose a $1,000 landing fee for general aviation aircraft, is a first. Its stated purpose is to “mitigate the climate impact of private and corporate air travel,” including air taxi and aircraft rental operations.
NBAA countered that “general aviation is taking aggressive action to meet sustainability goals and reduce emissions. This legislation would have a devastating effect on the industry, result in job losses, and not move the needle on sustainability.”