GO AHEAD, SHOOT THE MESSENGER

It is halftime of the Michigan State - Northwestern game. In my view, a new iteration of regional aviation and #smallcommunityairservice is about to begin.

The trend has been clear for a decade. But fixing it or thinking about it is a third rail issue for many. It is not. Just because you are thinking about it or planning for it does not mean you are advocating for it.

The first #BoydSwelbarUNVARNISHED podcast went there - just not all of the way. The next day, #BenGoldstein at the #AviationDaily interviewed Mesa CEO Jonathan Ornstein on the pilot supply issue/situation or whatever you want to call it. After reading the interview with Ornstein, I felt a need to respond because there was a lot to unpack in that article. Our friends at the Daily and Aviation Week agreed to print it.

This issue is not new and people I have worked with over the years have heard it time and again. All stakeholders with skin in the game are not immediately obvious. And any number of stakeholders need to be part of a change, if we can get by the fact that no one really wants it to happen – including me.

My career is likely best known for work on behalf of small community air service. The answer will not be found in a 700-word op ed either. There will be much more to come on the subject. But you can frame some things to consider in 700 words.

Probably the most important sentence is the next to last one: What was deemed “essential” in 1978 is not today’s essential. Back then, the interstate highway system was 15 years from completion. Yep, that helps define the regional system that everyone assumes will operate in perpetuity.

Small communities cannot satisfy their demand base with 2 frequencies per day. They cannot begin to retain their local traffic with multiple options available within a reasonable driving distance. Potential re-purposing some small airports will result in more economic generation than scant air service for the sake of air service produces.

There is even something in this framing for pilot unions too. Hopefully #AAAE and #ACINA will begin to think about this seriously. Planning for it will likely make for a softer landing for those disenfranchised from the commercial system. Again, planning for what is next – not advocating for it to fully play out.

I hope to hear from some of you on this. If you don't want to do it here, my email address is swelbar@swelbar-zhongair.com. Shooting the messenger is perfectly fine.

#swelbar #airports #aviation