Government Announces Funding for Rural Airline Service to Expire as Early as This Weekend
Federal officials has stated that financial support from a US government program that subsidizes commercial air service to rural airports are scheduled to end as soon as Sunday due to the current federal funding lapse.
The US transportation department stated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service initiative are likely to end as soon as Sunday after the agency moved separate financial resources from the FAA as an temporary measure.
Transportation officials is in the process of alerting airline operators about the financial gap and informing communities about possible impacts.
Federal authorities provides approximately $350 million in annual funding for the program.
Earlier this year, the administration suggested reducing funding by $308 million for the air service program, which has support among Republican lawmakers because it provides services to rural, largely Republican areas.
During the first presidency of Donald Trump, the White House suggested terminating the Essential Air Service program – but Congress chose to boost funding instead.
The program typically subsidizes two round trips daily using medium-sized planes – or additional frequencies with smaller planes. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 areas in Alaska receive service and 112 locations across the remaining states and Puerto Rico that likely wouldn't have any airline service.
“All states across the country will be impacted,” the transportation secretary commented during a media briefing, noting the program had bipartisan support. “We don't have the funding for that program going forward.”
