US Says Subsidies for Air Service to Rural Areas to Expire as Soon as Sunday

Federal officials has stated that financial support from a federal initiative that supports commercial air service to rural airports are set to expire as early as this weekend due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Federal transportation authorities stated that subsidies under the Essential Air Service initiative are likely to end as soon as Sunday after the agency transferred separate financial resources from the FAA as an temporary measure.

Transportation officials is currently notifying carriers about the funding shortfall and alerting communities about possible impacts.

The government provides approximately $350 million in yearly financial support for the program.

Earlier this year, the administration suggested reducing funding by $308m for the Essential Air Service, which enjoys popularity among Republican lawmakers because it provides services to predominantly Republican rural regions.

Throughout 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 subsidizes two return flights each day using medium-sized planes – or additional frequencies with smaller planes. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 areas in the northern state have air access and 112 locations across the remaining states and Puerto Rico that likely wouldn't have any airline service.

“All states across the country will feel the effects,” the transportation secretary stated during a media briefing, noting the service had bipartisan support. “We don't have the money for that program going forward.”