In the US, it's because of federal subsidies. Air travel is federally subsidized, to get airlines to maintain air travel to less populated areas. Otherwise the

In the US, it's because of federal subsidies. Air travel is federally subsidized, to get airlines to maintain air travel to less populated areas. Otherwise the flyover states would literally just be flown over. Air travel is subsidized, airlines pay to use but do not pay for airports. Highways and gas are subsidized, drivers pay tolls, but drivers and car manufacturers don't have to directly pay for all road maintenance. Railways are subsidized, but nowhere near to the same extent. The Federal government has subsidized Amtrak 30 Billion over the last 30 years. It's subsidized freight rail some, and Amtrak and other services can use those rails, but freight trains have priority. It's subsidized air and highway travel by 1.89 trillion, including around 1 trillion to build most of the airports you see today.