A crop duster treats a field. Small airports, particularly those in rural areas, are valuable to the communities they serve but face several threats, writes contributor Niel Ritchie.There are many concerning trends in air travel of late, but a particularly concerning and less recognized one is diminishing air service to smaller communities.
More than 100 airports have closed since 2008, profoundly impacting rural communities and the businesses, aircraft and industries that depend on them. These closures also impact tourism and other businesses near the airport, such as hotels, restaurants and retail stores, as well as manufacturing and construction businesses.
Dubuque, Iowa, is an example. The airport there lost its only commercial carrier in September, although it has, with a single route to Orlando. The gap has been disruptive, forcing some residents and businesses to commute three hours to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Unfortunately, this trend is across the region and the country. Airports have lost an average of 34% of their flights between 2019 and 2022, including Ithaca, N.Y.; Toledo, Ohio; Clarksburg, W.Va.; and Lincoln, Neb.
With the top four airlines controlling 67% of commercial routes, most airline traffic goes through the top 30 airports. With more than 60 airline mergers and consolidations since the 1960s, this trend is not likely to reverse. Big airlines will always concentrate resources in areas with the most potential passengers.