Federal subsidies are helping small airports land Boston service, but Burlington International Airport doesn’t qualify because it’s too big.
Airport officials estimate a Burlington to Boston route could support 100 passengers a day, but there hasn’t been any service between the two cities for more than a year.
Because the airport is defined as a small hub, it does not qualify for the federal Essential Air Service Program, which last year paid Cape Air $5.9 million to provide Boston air service to Rutland, two upstate New York airports and Lebanon, N.H.
Airport aviation director Brian Searles says the economy is a hurdle, but establishing a Boston route remains his Number 1 priority.