Comment by rsj_hn

International Air Travel is one of the most heavily taxed, if not the most heavily taxed, activity. It's not unusual for the taxes to exceed the ticket price. Here I just looked on kayak for a flight from SFO to Berlin. Here is the price breakdown:

   Ticket price USD 465.00
   Taxes, Fees and charges USD 540.52
   ---------
   International/Domestic Surcharge USD 350.00

   APHIS User Fee USD 3.96

   Immigration User Fee USD 7.00

   Customs User Fee USD 5.77

   United States International Departure Tax USD 18.60

   United States International Arrival Tax USD 18.60

   Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee USD 5.60

   Air Transport Tax USD 46.58

   German Aviation Security Charge  19.15

   Passenger Service Charge - Intl USD 23.95

   Passenger Service Charge - Dom. USD 36.81

   Passenger Facility Charge USD 4.50

   Total price USD 1,005.52