pretty much all of air travel had direct government subsidy in the form of postal contracts in its early days and later price controls. automakers also had a hu

pretty much all of air travel had direct government subsidy in the form of postal contracts in its early days and later price controls. automakers also had a huge subsidy in the form of the massive capital expenditure on highways that were free to use. developing technologies at taxpayer expense for strategic purposes is nothing new. if private airlines were left to their own devices we probably won't ever move away from the basic shape of subsonic, fossil-fueled jet travel. as it is, the airplane manufacturer duopoly is half kept afloat by defense spending, and it remains to be seen whether or not the full financial cost of 737MAX will result in requiring taxpayer bailout.