Currently the government is unable to collect millions of dollars in taxes because parts of the FAA are currently unfunded. The argument is over whether smaller subsidized airports should continue to be subsidized. If the subsidies are removed many will have to close. People in those areas will have no air service other than if they drive to the nearest airport still open for business. In some cases that will be quite a long drive. For instance if the airport at Wolf Point, Montana is closed folks will have quite a drive to the nearest airport still providing services.
So, should the subsidies continue?
Here is a link to a list of such airports:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_Air_Service#Areas_excluding_Alaska
Should smaller airports be subsidized?
Discussion in 'News & Current Events' started by Crabtownboy, Aug 3, 2011.
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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There's a difference between discontinuing scheduled airline service and closing an airport altogether. Ending airline service does not necessarily mean the death of an airport. Charter is an option.
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exscentric Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
No, there are cars, busses, trains and feet :)
We have a number of them in OR and some of the flights run 2-3 passengers costing tax payers thousands.
Wyoming, in the old days, required county size to be only big enough where you could ride to the court house in one day from anywhere in the county.
Air service is often needed by city officials wanting to big city folks with an airport rather than a real need. -
I am for cutting the unnecessary subsidy for your small airport.
But I am for maintaining the absolutely necessary subsidy for my vitally-needed small airport. -
Without knowing the total annual passengers the data is insufficient to judge.
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What is the real reason they want to continue subsidizing this?
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Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
The folks who live near Wolf Point have eight other airports within 150 miles. And which airport in Wolf Point are you talking about ?
Are you just trying to manufacture a crisis ? -
Besides taxing, borrowing and spending that is. -
Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
And being judgemental. And pretending Obama is a good president, or even an improvement on the last one. You left those out.
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
By the way, what are the 8 airports ... and which one or ones are not on the list of subsidized airports? I thought of Miles City, but it is 172 miles away. I was simply giving Wolf Point as an example. In the area I grew up in in VA if the local airport lost air services the closest airport is over 70 miles away.
And you did not answer the OP question.
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Some things never change. :laugh: -
Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
Yup. Make up a problem. Throw it out there, trhen tell someone they don't know enough about the subject.
Hey Crabby, stick to helping out the welfare crowd. The people in Wolf Point don't want your "help". -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
You still have not answered the question in the OP. -
Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
Why don't you ask them ? Also, it is easier for me to realize your statement is a question if you use a question mark (?) after it. Aren't you the one who said conservatives have a hard time reading ? Help us out.
Actually, I denied there was a problem. There are two airports in Wolf Point. You must have missed that. -
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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exscentric Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Crabtown said the subsidies were continued. I've read and heard on the news that they were not continued, but that the affected airports could ask for a waver for a period of time.
One report said there were only 13 airports under consideration - not all. I'd guess we have 13 or more in OR alone so do not know the criteria.
As to the fairness, life isn't fair. I would like to have a bus route at my door, but I don't so I need to live with it or move. Likewise people without an air port - too bad, so sad, move to be closer to one.
When did the US decide that everyone should have equal access to everything they desire?????????????????????? -
Airports are transportation infrastructure as much as highways, and are equally important to our economy. I say, subsidize while looking for trimming any redundancies.
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What seems to be forgotten is the number of people who are employed as a result of the corporate aircraft industry. Beginning with the pilots, there are support staff, mechanics, FBOs (essentially airport service centers), not to mention the aircraft manufacturers, and so on.
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