U.S. Taxpayers Fund Empty 'Airports to Nowhere'

Sept. 18, 2009— -- The Greenbrier Valley Airport, the gateway to the ritzy Greenbrier resort where rooms start at $500 a night, is about to get more than $2 million in federal stimulus funds to spruce up the terminal building.

Only two commercial flights a day come in and out of the Lewisburg, W.Va., airport and, on average, each plane carries six passengers.

But U.S. tax dollars keep the airport in business. In addition to stimulus funds the airport received, the federal government subsidizes the commercial flights to the tune of $562 per passenger through the FAA's Essential Air Service program, which supports rural airports through a $175 million annual appropriation.

Indeed, dozens of small, U.S. airports depend on federal funds for their survival, prompting critics to complain that these "airports to nowhere" fly too few passengers to justify the subsidies.

But Greenbrier residents, for instance, insist that the money is well spent.

"The most important thing we can have is an easier way for the guests to get to the Greenbrier," said Lynn Swann, a spokeswoman for the Greenbrier resort. "That doesn't benefit just the Greenbrier, it benefits the entire region.

"We have 1,300 employees here," she said, "but numerous businesses in the area, whether they are tourist destinations, restaurants, other hotels or simply gas stations, [also] benefit from increased business at the Greenbrier."

Greenbrier Airport manager Jerry O'Sullivan agreed, saying federal subsidies for small airports like his are essential to local economies.

"In Washington terms, $175 million is really just a rounding error," O'Sullivan said. "And to cancel [the funds] would be too widespread pain for too little gain."