Cargo Planes

Starting as a possible T2 option, what about cargo planes?
First, you'd have to Research the Airport (the first one would be a shack with a single fuel pump and an open-air tower with one small plane). Then, you'd have to build the plane. Tech upgrades would be available of course (more range...more cargo...faster).
This would consume a lot of fuel (possibly with a refinery option for high-octane fuel) but the tradeoffs would be faster and farther scouting, faster and farther shipping, and an option later for trade routes. The drawbacks would include a small cargo limit, relatively high Maint. cost, and if you encountered an enemy warship your plane is simply lost (because gunships and armed planes belong in their own game!).

I would rather see this than the Warship docked there. Why a Warship one wonders? Should it not be a large freighter instead?
In these times of War and gendercide, why are there still so many war games available? It would be enough to have some pirate boats trying to steal
goods in this game. People are trying to escape from thought of war right now.

There could be airports like docks for reconnaissance/fighter planes, and cargo airports for transporting goods from around the world. However, a system of local airports could also be developed for smaller aircraft operating only on the island map.