Since deregulation, average air fares for most travelers have fallen
very significantly. The Federal Government got out the business of telling the
airlines where they could fly and what they could charge. Airlines now fly where
the public demands and they can make a profit. Governmental agencies are only
tasked with safety today. Some of the traditional airlines have gone under
because they could not adapt. Many new airlines have come and gone. Service to
some cities has been greatly expanded and other cities have lost air travel. The traveling public is much better served due to competition. Because of
deregulation, more people are traveling by air instead of driving, taking the
bus or staying home.
The highways of the sky are still monitored and controlled by the
government. Interstate trucking has also been deregulated with significant
drops in prices to customers.
Now, re-read this article but replace the word "airline(s)" with
"bus" and/or "taxi." It's time that local governments get
out of the business of regulation (other than safety and honesty) of ground
transportation. Why can't those who travel by bus or taxi have the same
freedom to choose based upon competition (service and price)?
