Government Announces Funding for Rural Airline Service to Expire as Early as This Weekend
Federal officials has announced that funds from a US government program that subsidizes airline routes to rural airports are scheduled to end as soon as Sunday due to the current federal funding lapse.
Federal transportation authorities indicated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service program are expected to expire as early as this weekend after the department moved unrelated funding from the Federal Aviation Administration as an advance.
Transportation officials is currently notifying airline operators about the funding shortfall and alerting communities about possible impacts.
Federal authorities provides approximately $350m in yearly financial support for the program.
In recent months, the administration proposed cutting financial support by $308 million for the air service program, which has support among GOP legislators because it offers connectivity to predominantly Republican rural regions.
Throughout the initial term of the former president, the administration suggested terminating the Essential Air Service initiative – but Congress opted to increase funding instead.
This initiative typically supports two return flights each day using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or additional frequencies with smaller aircraft. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 areas in Alaska receive service and 112 locations across the other 49 states and Puerto Rico that otherwise might not receive any commercial air connectivity.
“All states across the country will feel the effects,” the transportation secretary commented during a media briefing, noting the service had support from both parties. “We don't have the money for that program going forward.”