Government Announces Funding for Rural Airline Service to End as Early as This Weekend
Federal officials has stated that funds from a federal initiative that supports airline routes to rural airports are scheduled to end as early as this weekend due to the current federal funding lapse.
Federal transportation authorities stated that subsidies under the Essential Air Service program are expected to expire as soon as Sunday after the agency moved unrelated funding from the FAA as an advance.
Transportation officials is in the process of alerting airline operators about the funding shortfall and informing local areas about potential effects.
Federal authorities provides approximately $350m in yearly financial support for the program.
Earlier this year, the White House suggested reducing financial support by $308 million for the air service program, which enjoys popularity among GOP legislators because it offers connectivity to rural, largely Republican areas.
Throughout the initial term of the former president, the administration suggested terminating the Essential Air Service initiative – but lawmakers chose to boost funding instead.
The program typically subsidizes two round trips daily using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or additional frequencies with smaller planes. According to the department that under the program, approximately 65 areas in Alaska receive service and 112 communities across the other 49 states and the territory that otherwise might not receive any commercial air connectivity.
“All states 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 going forward.”
