Curious, could you share specific examples of that pork barreling?
https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy/small-...
https://www.enotrans.org/eno-resources/federal-government-su...
On hand, it provides real benefits
On the other, hard not to see this most benefits the wealthy. I count myself in that benefit
If it really is to provide commercial air access to rural places, unless the "rural places" happen to be near resorts or random rural wealthy people, I'd think anyone making over ~$40k per year in that region would benefit.
The bit to feel mixed about is to what extent we should subsidize people choosing to live in rural areas.