Comments about: AUGUSTA Subsidy for Colgan is boost for airport
AUGUSTA -- Bigger, fancier planes will be flying passengers in and out of the Augusta State Airport starting in...
[ back to story ]
Bookmark & share: digg del.icio.us Reddit

Welcome to kjonline.com's reader comments forum, which is offered as a "public square" for our audience. We view this space as our readers' section of the Web site, separate from our journalistic offerings. We hope you will use the forum to advance public dialogue and community discourse. As such, we ask that participants refrain from personal attacks and offensive comments. If you believe a comment is inappropriate or offensive, you can bring it to our attention by clicking on the 'report abuse' link by the comment. It will be reviewed by online staff. Please understand that 1) a comment is not "inappropriate" solely because you disagree with its author; and 2) there may be a delay while the comment is being reviewed. Please review our Reader Comment Guidelines.


Reader comments

Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First

spentgrain of whitefield, ME
Sep 15, 2008 7:34 PM
10,000 passengers with 4.5 million dollar subsidy.That's $450 per person! Sounds like a great deal for the taxpayer!report abuse
Rush2Judge of Augusta, ME
Sep 15, 2008 2:57 PM
According to the US DOT . . .

"The Essential Air Service (EAS) program was put into place to guarantee that small communities that were served by certificated air carriers before deregulation maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service. The Department currently subsidizes commuter airlines to serve approximately 140 rural communities across the country that otherwise would not receive any scheduled air service. For more information contact the EAS and Domestic Analysis Division at (202) 366-5903"

So our tax dollars are used to make sure we have an airport and air service in case we need it. Is it a good use of tax dollars, I don't know? What would the tickets cost with out it?report abuse
Zippy T-bone of Gardiner, ME
Sep 15, 2008 1:53 PM
Why must we pay an airline to offer flights?

Why do our tax dollars pay for this?

If there is not enough demand and the airline cannot offer the service without a tax payer bail out---shut it down.

I do not have enough disposible income to fly to Boston. I either drive or take a bus or train.

Why are my tax dollars paying for a business person to fly from Augusta?

I just don't get it.report abuse
optimystical of Augusta, ME
Sep 15, 2008 11:54 AM
There are many ways to save some money though - 14 day advanced purchase or 21 day. Sometimes if you include a Saturday overnight and fly back on a Monday it is cheaper. Best days to fly out @ least from Portland/Boston etc, are Tues/Weds/Sat.
US Airways often has good deals also but, not always. I use them sometimes (though I always shop around.
I personally believe this makes good sense for this area.report abuse

Show all 8 comments

You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.