A private jet flies past clouds at sunset on approach to Washington's Reagan National Airport. Critics say the operators of private jets are not paying their fair share to support the air traffic control system, a charge a private jet trade group denies. J. David Ake/Getty Images

Even if you’re flying commercial for the holidays, private jets might be making your trip more expensive.

That’s because, some critics say, business jets and others aren’t paying their fair share for the nation’s air traffic control system.

The overwhelming majority of the Aviation Trust Fund — the main source of funding for the Federal Aviation Administration — comes from a variety of fees levied on commercial passengers; in contrast, business jets pay only a modest fuel tax.

“If you’re standing in line for

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