US Says Subsidies for Air Service to Rural Areas to Expire as Early as This Weekend
The Trump administration has stated that financial support from a federal initiative that subsidizes commercial air service to rural airports are scheduled to end as early as this weekend because of the ongoing government shutdown.
Federal transportation authorities stated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service program are likely to end as soon as Sunday after the agency moved separate financial resources from the FAA as an advance.
The department is currently notifying carriers about the funding shortfall and alerting local areas about potential effects.
The government provides approximately $350 million in annual funding for the program.
Earlier this year, the administration suggested reducing funding by $308m for the air service program, which has support among GOP legislators because it offers connectivity to predominantly Republican rural regions.
During the initial term of the former president, the White House suggested terminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers chose to boost funding instead.
This initiative typically supports two round trips each day using medium-sized planes – or more frequent flights with smaller aircraft. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 communities in the northern state receive service and 112 locations across the remaining states and the territory that otherwise might not receive any airline service.
“Every state nationwide will be impacted,” the transportation secretary commented during a press conference, observing the service had support from both parties. “We don't have the money for that initiative moving forward.”
