Airlines Are Terrible. Small Cities Are Still Paying Them Millions of Dollars to Stick Around.

The article focuses on the economic implications of airline deregulation in the United States, particularly its impact on small cities like Cheyenne, Wyoming. Following the 1978 deregulation, airlines increasingly abandoned less profitable routes, leading to a decline in air service for many smaller communities. To maintain commercial flights, local organizations, such as the Cheyenne Regional Air Focus Team (CRAFT), have resorted to offering "minimum revenue guarantees" to airlines like SkyWest, which has resulted in millions of dollars in payments to keep flights operational. The article highlights the broader trend of airline consolidation and the challenges faced by smaller cities in securing air service, which is crucial for local economic development and attracting businesses. [Extracted from the article]