>>The light bills continue for the airlines whether they are sold out or empty, so the only remedy is to keep them afloat from outside the company.

On the other hand many airlines were struggling before the attacks. Perhaps rather than simply pump taxpayers dollars into companies that are operating under an inefficient business model, allow them to fail. Since we need air transport someone will step up and fill the void.

Yes it may cost more than it did before, but I doubt it will cost more than the amount of money subsidies will cost, and subsidies create no incentive to keep costs down.