Subsidier paa amerikansk

[LN-MOW]

Har vi hoert denne visa foer?? Fra USA Today:

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Should cities be able to use public funds to lure low-cost airline service, even if that means subsidizing a discounter at the expense of a major rival? That's been proven to be a controversial idea, and the issue seems to have come to a head in Wichita, which successfully lured service by discount carrier AirTran with a guarantee to offset some of the airline's potential losses on the route, according to the Wichita Business Journal. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), however, has accused the city of "unjust economic discrimination" since Delta competes with AirTran on flights to Atlanta, and Delta does not receive any compensation from the city.

Delta, predictably, says the subsidies are unfair. "We're only looking for a level playing field," Delta spokesman Doug Blissit tells The Associated Press. But Wichita contends guaranteeing discounter airlines against losses is the city's own way of leveling the playing field. Major carriers have served smaller airports for years, critics say, and never offered lower airfares in such markets until they have faced low-fare competition. "We have, in the past, been discriminated against, rate-wise," says Mayor Carlos Mayans said. Wichita officials tell The Wichita Eagle that the program to secure AirTran's service – which began in 2002 – has saved local passengers $85 million in airfare, dropped average fares by 30% and has sent the number of passengers using the airport soaring by 33%. During that same period, the city has covered $7 million in losses for AirTran service from the city.