When is essential not?

Today's column about the federal Essential Airline Service subsidy program prompted a number of questions and observations about the program and Delta's announcement that it will likely end service to 24 small communities. I'll try to address those questions here.

And if you are an airline industry junky and want to know more than the average person about the EAS program, try this website on for size.

Q: What are the subsidy-supported airports in Minnesota?

A: There are three: Thief River Falls, International Falls and Hibbing. Disclosure: On the EAS website I could only find data about subsidy payments to Thief River Falls and Hibbing, which saw a big increase in the past year because of the addition of a third daily flight. If anyone finds the International Falls info, I'll update.

Q: What about Brainerd and Bemidji, which were also on Delta's list of 24 cities?

A: Delta does not receive subsidy payments for those airports, and has indicated those routes are currently unprofitable especially in light of plans to phase out its smaller, 34-seat planes.

Q: Will all of these cities lose air service?

A: Not necessarily.

When it comes to EAS cities, Delta has given 90-day notice, which allows the Federal Aviation Administration to recruit a replacement carrier. Great Lakes Aviation has expressed interest in bidding for the International Falls service.

Delta has indicated that it would continue serving 9 EAS cities on its list if the government increases subsidy payments.

Technically, if no other carrier bids for these EAS routes the FAA could require Delta to continue to provide essential air service. It's unclear how often this happens, especially in a market like Thief River Falls where only 12 percent of seats are sold.

Brainerd and Bemidji face different prospects. Great Lakes Aviation has expressed interest in serving Brainerd. Delta, meanwhile, said it will continue serving Bemidji only if the government is willing to subsidize those flights.