ACY and subsidies (Atlantic City: subsidized, airport, beach)

[avg12]

This was in the Inquirer yesterday:
Looking for a way to lure passengers and airlines to Atlantic City airport

ACY is subsidized by motorists who pay tolls on the AC Expressway. However, the only carrier at ACY is Spirit. Should the airport still be subsidized by motorists (some who may not want to fly anywhere)?

I flew last year to Chicago and Myrtle from ACY. It was a nice drive and easy parking but I took US-30 and avoided the toll. One of the commenters on the philly.com article felt it was too far from CH. I didn't feel so, but I suppose that is subjective.

Regarding subsidies, Maryland subsidizes a flight from Baltimore-London on British Airways (monies given to a foreign carrier), even though the DC region counties like Montgomery likely are to support Dulles flights. Dulles isn't that far from Baltimore.

British Airways will keep flying to BWI with help of subsidy - USATODAY.com

So, NJ subsidizing likely short haul routes out of ACY, if it did, wouldn't be different from MD supporting a long haul route, although most states don't subsidize airline routes indefinitely like MD is with its LHR flight out of BWI.

One thing I don't know is if ACY is used more by NJ/PA locals going out of the region (using it for flights to Florida and Myrtle Beach which is year round by Spirit) or the opposite. I've heard ACY-MYR is popular with golfers. The opposite is people from Florida and SC are using it as a way to visit AC to gamble or atleast be in So. NJ.

If it's the latter, it brings business, but if its the first scenario it's not much benefit, and probably questionable if justifying if the airport should stay open as subsidized.

Spirit isn't offering much in terms of domestic connectivity, and out of ACY it appears more more point to point routes heavily dominated by NJ to Florida traffic. The seasonal stuff to Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta is nice, but it's seasonal, not year round. Thoughts?

[ocnjgirl]

They are trying to get more airlines in there. There is one other besides Spirit, I can't remember the name but they fly only between Ft. Lauderdale and ACY. Air Tran was in there with many routes but pulled out last year. I hope more go in because for me it's a pain to go to Philly. I don't fly Spirit as they are IMO too $$$$, they tack on fees for everything from carry on to selecting your seat in advance. I know the powers that be feel the airport is vital to the future of AC, more for people to fly in from other states than for our convenience, and I do believe investment in AC tourism is important to the south Jersey region.