If there is space after the long note, you end with the air. It is the only way to get a good, taper to your notes. Even if you are crescendoing to a huge climax, still end with the air. Ending with the tongue always sounds clipped off. When using an air release, especially at the end of a crescendo, it gives a note the sensation of resonating.
Speaking of the "ho ho ho" style of staccato playing, which is basically what I was told in the beginning by teachers who didn't know, that is never correct. When playing staccato passages, your airstream is constant and your tongue is acting as a release valve. It comes off the reed for the note to speak, and then back on the reed at the end of the note and until the beginning of the next note.