Government Announces Funding for Rural Airline Service to Expire as Early as This Weekend
Federal officials has stated that funds from a federal initiative that supports commercial air service to remote airfields are scheduled to end as early as this weekend because of the current federal funding lapse.
The US transportation department indicated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service initiative are likely to end as early as this weekend after the department moved separate financial resources from the FAA as an temporary measure.
Transportation officials is in the process of alerting carriers about the funding shortfall and informing communities about potential effects.
Federal authorities provides approximately $350 million in yearly financial support for the program.
In recent months, the administration suggested reducing funding by $308 million for the air service program, which enjoys popularity among Republican lawmakers because it provides services to predominantly Republican rural regions.
Throughout the first presidency of the former president, the administration suggested terminating the Essential Air Service program – but Congress opted to increase financial support instead.
The program typically subsidizes two return flights each day using medium-sized planes – or additional frequencies with smaller planes. According to the department that under the program, approximately 65 areas in the northern state have air access and 112 communities across the other 49 states and Puerto Rico that otherwise might not receive any commercial air connectivity.
“All states across the country will feel the effects,” the transportation chief commented during a press conference, observing the service had support from both parties. “We lack the funding for that initiative moving forward.”
