US Says Subsidies for Air Service to Rural Areas to Expire as Early as This Weekend
The Trump administration has stated that funds from a US government program that subsidizes commercial air service to rural airports are set to expire as early as this weekend due to the current federal funding lapse.
The US transportation department 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 FAA as an temporary measure.
Transportation officials is currently notifying airline operators about the funding shortfall and informing local areas about possible impacts.
Federal authorities provides approximately $350m in yearly financial support for the program.
Earlier this year, the administration proposed cutting financial support by $308m for the Essential Air Service, which enjoys popularity among GOP legislators because it provides services to rural, largely Republican areas.
During the first presidency of Donald Trump, the White House proposed eliminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers chose to boost funding instead.
The program typically supports two return flights each day using medium-sized planes – or additional frequencies with smaller planes. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 communities in the northern state have air access and 112 communities across the remaining states and Puerto Rico that otherwise might not receive any airline service.
“All states across the country will feel the effects,” the transportation chief stated during a media briefing, observing the service had support from both parties. “We lack the funding for that initiative going forward.”
