🔗 Share this article Government Announces Subsidies for Air Service to Rural Areas to End as Early as This Weekend The Trump administration has stated that funds from a US government program that subsidizes commercial air service to rural airports are scheduled to end as soon as Sunday due to the ongoing government shutdown. Federal transportation authorities stated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service program are expected to expire as early as this weekend after the department moved separate financial resources from the FAA as an advance. Transportation officials is in the process of alerting carriers about the funding shortfall and informing local areas about potential effects. The government allocates approximately $350 million in yearly financial support for the program. Earlier this year, the White House proposed cutting financial support by $308 million for the Essential Air Service, which has support among GOP legislators because it offers connectivity to rural, largely Republican areas. Throughout the initial term of the former president, the administration proposed eliminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers opted to increase funding instead. This initiative typically subsidizes two round trips each day using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or additional frequencies with smaller planes. According to the department that under the program, approximately 65 communities in Alaska receive service and 112 communities across the other 49 states and Puerto Rico that likely wouldn't have any airline service. “All states across the country will feel the effects,” the transportation secretary stated during a media briefing, observing the service had support from both parties. “We don't have the funding for that program going forward.”