US Says Funding for Air Service to Rural Areas to End as Soon as Sunday

Federal officials has announced that funds from a federal initiative that subsidizes commercial air service to rural airports are set to expire as soon as Sunday because of the ongoing government shutdown.

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 currently notifying airline operators about the financial gap and informing local areas about possible impacts.

Federal authorities allocates approximately $350 million in yearly financial support for the program.

Earlier this year, the White House proposed cutting funding by $308 million for the Essential Air Service, which has support among Republican lawmakers because it offers connectivity to rural, largely Republican areas.

During the initial term 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 round trips daily using medium-sized planes – or more frequent flights with smaller planes. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 areas in Alaska have air access and 112 locations across the remaining states and Puerto Rico that likely wouldn't have any commercial air connectivity.

“Every state across the country will be impacted,” the transportation secretary stated during a press conference, noting the service had bipartisan support. “We lack the money for that initiative going forward.”