Originally Posted by
WRCSolberg
I think it was more recent than that as I was at Mizzou when they were still running the service to ORD(?) or STL. I seem to remember the passenger loads being abysmal, 10-15 passengers on a 45 seat RJ.
They flew 36 passenger Skystream turbo-props to STL. This was service that they took over from TWA. A short lived reincarnation of Ozark Airlines flew AA code shares to ORD and DFW using Dornier jets, but that didn't last. The only non-subsidized service that has worked at COU has been the DL service. It may be that if DL leaves, AA can be profitable, but I don't see the advantage of using tax payer dollars to force out a carrier that did not need subsidies to bring in one that does - the net is zero increase in flights DL discontinues 3 flights per day and AA adds 3 flights per day. AA may or may not be the superior carrier, but I don't understand having government pick winners and losers. I think that free markets can work in the airline business.