US Says Funding for Rural Airline Service to Expire as Early as This Weekend
Federal officials has stated that funds from a US government program that subsidizes airline routes to rural airports are set to expire as early as this weekend because of the current federal funding lapse.
The US transportation department stated that subsidies under the Essential Air Service initiative are expected to expire as soon as Sunday after the department transferred separate financial resources from the FAA as an temporary measure.
The department is in the process of alerting carriers about the funding shortfall and informing communities about possible impacts.
Federal authorities allocates approximately $350 million in annual funding for the program.
In recent months, the administration suggested reducing funding by $308 million for the air service program, which enjoys popularity among Republican lawmakers because it offers connectivity to rural, largely Republican areas.
During the first presidency of Donald Trump, the White House suggested terminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers opted to increase funding instead.
The program typically subsidizes two round trips each day using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or additional frequencies with smaller aircraft. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 communities in the northern state have air access and 112 locations across the remaining states and the territory that likely wouldn't have any commercial air connectivity.
“Every state nationwide will be impacted,” the transportation chief stated during a press conference, observing the program had support from both parties. “We lack the funding for that program going forward.”
