Yeah, but I propose the opposite: don't cut air subsidies, but add train subsidies.
Basically, my understanding is that countries subsidize air travel because it's good for the economy. Business and trade and all that.
Now that long distance train becomes more fashionable and comfortable (and it does! A 1st class ICE across Germany is like a moving office, wow), you could make the argument that (long distance) train should be similarly subsidized for the exact same reasons: a country with great international train connections will be better at trade. I wonder what would happen to price and availability if that would happen.
Basically, my understanding is that countries subsidize air travel because it's good for the economy. Business and trade and all that.
Now that long distance train becomes more fashionable and comfortable (and it does! A 1st class ICE across Germany is like a moving office, wow), you could make the argument that (long distance) train should be similarly subsidized for the exact same reasons: a country with great international train connections will be better at trade. I wonder what would happen to price and availability if that would happen.