Airplanes use 178 million gallons of fossil fuel a day. should the government subsidize airlines?

Question

If they cause global warming and deplete the amount of fuel is it fair that tax payers keep them in business-think of the commonwealth.

Answer 1

No. The government should not subsidize airlines. Because airlines are private businesses, and private businesses can take care of themselves. If they can't they'll just go out of business. The government should allow it - because that is the way business works. It is the survival of the fittest. It will weed out all the inefficient airlines and allow only a few airlines that are efficiently run.

The government can keep taxes as is, but give tax breaks to airlines that use more fuel-efficient engines, or cleaner fuel engines.

Answer 2

Except for the fact that no cars run off of jet fuel... and that the economy is so biased toward speed, shutting down the airline industry would cripple the beloved commonwealth. Remember 9/11. That was 1 day, you are talking about shutting it down altogether.....

Answer 3

the benifits of air travel will always be enough for the government to keep paying for them to stay alive. there is no way people are going back to taking boats across the atlantic and taking trains across the country. our entire modern infrastructure (including the internet which you are using) is based very much on our ability to do things quickly, move things quickly and get places quickly. air travel is key to these. while frieght on the ground or water will always have it's place (thanks for the shoes china) so will air travel and air frieght. you might as well ask why doesnt the government shut down power stations because they use so many resources to give us electricity.

Answer 4

they bailed the airlines out after 9/11 and the money went to pay executive bonuses

Answer 5

This fuel is also very dangerous: it can vaporize airplanes and cause skyscrapers to melt. Even skyscrapers that aren't on fire.

Answer 6

no