US Says Funding for Air Service to Rural Areas to Expire as Soon as Sunday
The Trump administration has stated that financial support from a US government program that supports commercial air service to rural airports are set to expire as soon as Sunday because of the current federal funding lapse.
The US transportation department indicated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service program are likely to end as soon as Sunday after the department moved separate financial resources from the FAA as an advance.
Transportation officials is currently notifying carriers about the funding shortfall and informing local areas about potential effects.
The government provides approximately $350 million in yearly financial support for the program.
In recent months, the White House suggested reducing funding by $308 million for the air service program, which enjoys popularity among Republican lawmakers because it provides services to predominantly Republican rural regions.
During the first presidency of Donald Trump, the White House proposed eliminating the Essential Air Service initiative – but Congress chose to boost financial support instead.
This initiative typically subsidizes two return flights daily using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or more frequent flights with smaller aircraft. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 communities in the northern state receive service and 112 communities across the remaining states and the territory that otherwise might not receive any airline service.
“All states across the country will feel the effects,” the transportation chief commented during a press conference, noting the service had bipartisan support. “We don't have the money for that program going forward.”
