It's not just a matter of leisure travel. For Abilene, the quality of air service is closely connected with the city's economic prospects. For many companies looking at Abilene as a possible location and for many that are already here, the convenience of flying in and out of town is a major concern. Higher air fares discourage new business recruitment and current business expansion. Scheduling meetings and conventions is problematic.
People doing business want to be located where air service is easier and cheaper.
One solution is to re-establish government regulations to tell airlines how much they can charge. The better, simpler solution would be for the airlines themselves to act more responsibly in setting air fares - and to realize it is in their own best interest to do so. In commerce, it's a universal rule that raising prices decreases volume. Decreasing prices increases volume. It seems clear that more people would be encouraged to fly from Abilene to Dallas or Austin for the weekend instead of driving if it cost less, just as it seems clear the airlines would benefit from greater passenger traffic and from nurturing the habit of flying.