09-19-2014, 10:19 AM
quote:
Originally posted by csgray
... It doesn't seem like the airstrip is the issue, but the planes and pilots might be hard to find here.
When airlines bid on an essential air service contract, they have to supply the planes and pilots to fulfill the contract and get the subsidy. If it was the type of traffic that a 130 cutoff would generate, companies from all over the country would likely bid on the contract. (The group that had the contract at Waimea before Mokulele was based out of Arizona) Getting planes and the pilots isn't difficult. The planes would probably get leased and if there aren't enough pilots in Hawaii willing to work the job, others would come for the adventure and paycheck. Might even still be some unemployed Go! pilots in the state.
The subsidy is a flat rate so that the company has the funds to dedicate equipment and manpower even if there aren't enough fares/passengers to support the service.