[inglor_cz]

"Now, should more productive parts of the country be subsidizing air travel in less productive parts of the country? That's for you to decide."

I would say "no", personally. In the absence of a subsidy, the network of the rural airports would likely become sparser, but the surviving ones would have better economy and, as a result, infrastructure too.

[Freedom2]

Isn't that arguably want rural communities want, however? I believe they're the strongest advocates of small government, less subsidies and pulling oneself (ie, their community) up by their bootstraps, regardless of what reality is.

[pwthornton]

I think the issue with many rural Americans is that they don't realize they are the most subsidized people in this country.