A majority of the candidates for Wichita City Council say they support renewing the city's $2.5 million taxpayer subsidy of AirTran Airways for at least one more year.
AirTran's subsidy, which the city has offered the discount carrier for three straight years, appears to be secure because there's also majority support from the current council.
The city has pledged a total of $7 million in revenue guarantees for AirTran during the past three years. The current contract expires May 7.
Mayor Carlos Mayans and others on the seven-member council say keeping the discount carrier in Wichita helps reduce airfares, which they say is crucial to the city's efforts to retain and attract companies.
Of the six council candidates who are competing April 5 to fill three council seats, District 3 candidate Matthew Goolsby is the only one who said he would vote against spending more taxpayer money on Florida-based AirTran.
Goolsby, who is running against Jim Skelton in the district that covers southeast Wichita, says city government needs to end the subsidy and spend more money on basic services such as drainage and street improvements.
"We can find millions to subsidize an airline, but we can't come up with enough money to fix our roads, improve our library or increase our parkland," Goolsby said. "The needs of neighborhoods should be our first concern."
Skelton said he supports extending the subsidy as long as the city's investment continues to reap high returns.
Since AirTran began Wichita service in May 2002, passengers have flown from Wichita in record numbers as other airlines have lowered fares to compete.
"It's a necessary thing because of the importance of attracting and maintaining jobs," Skelton said. "If a subsidy is the only way we can continue to have a low-cost airline, I will consider some form of subsidy for the time being."
In the District 6 race, which covers near-northwest and parts of downtown Wichita, challenger Richard Lopez is undecided on renewing the subsidy while incumbent Sharon Fearey supports it.
Fearey wants private and public sectors in Wichita and surrounding areas to better work together to encourage support of AirTran. She said she would consider a multiyear contract if it proves necessary to keep the discount carrier here.
"We should extend the contract, but it's time for other communities to step up to the plate and for the businesses to get back into the swing of things," Fearey said.
Lopez said any subsidies for AirTran should be based on the discount carrier's "actual financial strength." He said before AirTran receives more public assistance, the carrier should consider reducing airfares more to remain competitive in the Wichita market. Competing airlines have cut fares and are slightly cheaper on some routes.
In District 1, which covers near-northeast and parts of downtown Wichita, incumbent Carl Brewer and challenger Inga Taylor support renewing the subsidy.
Brewer said the city's subsidy represents a significant "payback" for taxpayers.
"Direct revenue has been at least $3.5 million in increases in parking revenue, passenger facility charges and hotel-tax revenue," Brewer said. "Indirect payback includes total fare savings of over $200 million, savings to businesses that allow for new jobs, higher wages, additional investments and increased convention business and revenue."
Taylor said she wants more commitment from local businesses who benefit the most from the lower fares stemming from the subsidy.
