COVID-19, recent technological advances in the taxi and aviation industries, and demographic shifts have created ideal conditions for the introduction and mass adoption of a new system of regional air transportation. Since the commercial aviation sector was deregulated in 1978, flights have mainly been based on a hub-and-spoke system involving large airplanes, large airports, and rigid schedules. More than two decades ago, federal officials explored an alternative system based on small planes, small airports, and on-demand scheduling. We refer to such a system as planepooling. At the turn of the 21st century, conditions were not favorable for such a shift, but in 2021, they have improved. In this brief, we discuss such a system, its increasing feasibility, and the technological and regulatory innovations needed to make it work.

Chinese President Xi Jinping got a major shot in the arm last week. On Nov. 11, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) concluded the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee—the most important political gathering before the 2022 Party Congress—and the results all but ensured Xi will continue to lead the country after next year’s twice-a-decade leadership reshuffle.