Small planes keep their free pass for agricultural inspections
What happened
The US Department of Agriculture has restored an exemption for small commercial aircraft from paying agricultural inspection fees. This means small planes with 64 or fewer seats will continue to avoid a fee that larger aircraft must pay.
Why it matters
The US Department of Agriculture tried to make all commercial aircraft pay for agricultural inspections. But after public comments, it reversed course. This means smaller airlines and regional carriers avoid a new operating cost, while the agency continues to subsidize their inspections.
The signal
Watch for any future attempts by the Department of Agriculture to reintroduce fees for small commercial aircraft, or to adjust fees for larger carriers to cover the shortfall.