The Battle Over Small Airport Funding
- Aircraft taxiing in at the John C. Tune Airport in Nashville
There has been a lot written opposing and then defending the use of taxpayer dollars to fund small airports in the United States. The issues are lining up as they always do with big business (airlines, big airports, big cities) against small business (private aircraft owners, corporate jet charter companies, small airports, small towns). Big media doesn’t seem to want to let go of this. As I read their articles and then the comments that follow, overhwhelmingly the comments are defending the small airports value.
The examples cited by those who oppose the funding of small airports are extreme instances of a system that is not perfect. It is easy to go out and find a few airports out of 5,000 that are receiving funding when they probably can’t justify it. So tell me what federal government system is 100% perfect and efficient? Big government and efficiency don’t usually find themselves in the same room.
But, as we say down south, don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
For every example given about the use of funds for an underutilized airport in the middle of nowhere, there are many more examples of vibrant airports that are key factors in the economic development and creation of jobs in their communities.
I, for one, run a business that directly employs nearly 200 people at two non-airline airports in Tennessee. And we are not the only enterprise at these two airports. Other small businesses located there provide services to the aviation community including export of services and products to other aviation companies worldwide.
In addition, these airports are used by small and large businesses alike to move people and freight. Every day there is activity at these airports that is essential to business growth.
Come join me one day and see what happens at our airports. Take a look at all the cars in the parking lot – these are people who make their living every day fueling, maintaining and flying aircraft that are essential tools for businesses in this country. Come meet the people who work at our airport and tell them that their workplace is a waste of tax payer money. Just remember that these people actually pay their taxes and deserve something back for it.
All you people (media, politicians and big-business lobbyists) inside the beltway in D.C. need to get out and breathe some fresh air, clear your muddled brains and come see what the rest of the country is doing, including those of us who help keep this economy going at small airports all across the nation.
3 Responses
to “The Battle Over Small Airport Funding”
1 Trackback(s)
- Nov 10, 2009: uberVU - social comments
To me it makes sense to have the small airports and the commerce they provide. My take is that most Americans have no idea how much actual commerce goes on daily at these airports and I also think that when you ask the average citizen about these airports they have a perception that they are used by rich and famous people who have enough money to fund them themselves. Since most Amricans view owning an aircraft as a luxury only afforded to people of high income. Sad really that this is the perception because here in Lake Placid I see many people who I’m sure would not qualify as high income flying into spend the weekend. These airports also serve as a backup to to the larger ones in an emergency and like anything “emergency” related, their value is rated during a crisis not before.
BTW worked on the other side of the fence from Tune at Western Express in the late 90’s and was always amazed at the amount of air traffic there.
What has been lost by short sighted articles in USA Today is the vital link that small airports give to communities around the country. Just because they are not served by major airlines dosent make them useless. Some of these “small” airports are lifelines of business and commerce to countless small towns. In some cases in more remote areas, small airports are the ONLY way to get people, good and services to the community.
It should also be remembered that the business that small aiports bring in create a “domino effect” in the local economy. From restaurants, to the local gas station to the tax base of the community, these airfields support countless jobs. There seems to be a movement by some to economically shoot ourselves in the foot.