Airport Issues

On Thursday, Adam Schreck wrote an article in the Missourian about Columbia Regional Airport's search for a new air travel provider after AmericanConnection operator Trans States Airlines said they would no longer provide air service to Columbia. The reporter did a very good job of explaining the situation and also explains the options that exist to solve the problem, but I felt that one large detail was lacking. One of the solutions Schreck said could happen was that the U.S. Department of Transportation could institute what is called "essential air service." The story says that means that the federal government would subsidize a limited number of flights through Columbia's airport. But the big question I had was how many flights we are talking about here. "A limited number" is pretty vague. And the story never really goes on to clarify it. As a student who lives in Chicago, I have used the airport as a means of getting home, and will be doing so this spring break. I want to know if this could have an effect on my travel in the future. To me, a limited number of flights already are flying in and out of Columbia's airport. I think the number is something like four or five per day. I can't imagine just one of two flights per day, or four or five flights every other day. I would like to know more about this situation, so I hope the Missourian continues to follow up on this issue.

Publish Date: March 9 in the Missourian.