US Says Funding for Air Service to Rural Areas to Expire as Early as This Weekend
The Trump administration has announced that funds from a US government program that subsidizes airline routes 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 program are expected to expire as soon as Sunday after the department transferred separate financial resources from the FAA as an advance.
The department is currently notifying carriers about the funding shortfall and informing local areas about possible impacts.
Federal authorities allocates approximately $350 million in yearly financial support for the program.
In recent months, the White House suggested reducing funding by $308m for the air service program, which has support among GOP legislators because it provides services to predominantly Republican rural regions.
Throughout the initial term of Donald Trump, the White House suggested terminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers chose to boost funding instead.
The program typically supports two round trips each day using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or more frequent flights 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 the territory that otherwise might not receive any airline service.
“Every state nationwide will feel the effects,” the transportation chief commented during a press conference, noting the program had bipartisan support. “We lack the funding for that program going forward.”
