In my view, social contracts no longer work. Social contracts are still a form of taxpayer subsidy, because taxpayers pay higher fares on profitable routes, which are being protected by limiting competition. Social contracts cannot be economically quantified. They're not legally enforceable obligations. They leave the government and taxpayers vulnerable to pressure from airlines if they threaten to cut rural routes.
In my view, clear and transparent subsidies for certain routes that are deemed to be essential or important, and for small airports that are deemed to be economic enablers, are far more efficient and transparent, and they leverage competitive forces to deliver service.