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JimmyDean · May 7th, 2008, 15:40

The frequency is set in the EAS contracts. Each carrier submits a proposal to the appropriate federal agency (I think it's the FAA), and outlines the frequency of service and type of aircraft. There's input from locals, usually the airport authority. The winner receives an annual subsidy for flying the route and gets to keep the passenger fares, too.

Subsidies are usually reported as annual amounts, but it's really a per-flight amount. Carriers are paid a portion of their annual subsidy each time a flight is operated. That's why EAS carriers will operate flights that are empty or nearly empty (and they do), because they don't get the money if they don't operate the flight.

The big problem here, in terms of waste, is that communities like frequency. A proposal from Carrier A with 2 Saab 340s a day is less appealing than a proposal from Carrier B with 4 Beech 1900s a day. The number of seats is about the same, but the locals like the idea of more flights operating to their podunk airports. And so we have 5 flights from LEB to LGA, eating landing slots and gate space and giving EAS a bad name.

May 7th, 2008, 15:40	#12
JimmyDean Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MHT/LGA Posts: 143	Re: EAS/Colgan on CBS evening news The frequency is set in the EAS contracts. Each carrier submits a proposal to the appropriate federal agency (I think it's the FAA), and outlines the frequency of service and type of aircraft. There's input from locals, usually the airport authority. The winner receives an annual subsidy for flying the route and gets to keep the passenger fares, too. Subsidies are usually reported as annual amounts, but it's really a per-flight amount. Carriers are paid a portion of their annual subsidy each time a flight is operated. That's why EAS carriers will operate flights that are empty or nearly empty (and they do), because they don't get the money if they don't operate the flight. The big problem here, in terms of waste, is that communities like frequency. A proposal from Carrier A with 2 Saab 340s a day is less appealing than a proposal from Carrier B with 4 Beech 1900s a day. The number of seats is about the same, but the locals like the idea of more flights operating to their podunk airports. And so we have 5 flights from LEB to LGA, eating landing slots and gate space and giving EAS a bad name.