🔗 Share this article 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 subsidizes commercial air service to remote airfields are scheduled to end as early as this weekend due to the ongoing government shutdown. Federal transportation authorities indicated that subsidies under the Essential Air Service initiative are expected to expire as soon as Sunday after the department transferred separate financial resources from the FAA as an temporary measure. The department is currently notifying carriers about the funding shortfall and alerting communities about possible impacts. The government allocates approximately $350m in yearly financial support for the program. Earlier this year, the White House proposed cutting funding by $308m for the Essential Air Service, which enjoys popularity among Republican lawmakers because it offers connectivity to rural, largely Republican areas. During the initial term of the former president, the administration suggested terminating the Essential Air Service initiative – but Congress chose to boost funding instead. This initiative typically supports two round trips daily using medium-sized planes – or more frequent flights with smaller planes. According to the department that under the program, approximately 65 communities in the northern state receive service and 112 locations across the remaining states and Puerto Rico that otherwise might not receive any commercial air connectivity. “All states nationwide will feel the effects,” the transportation chief commented during a media briefing, observing the service had support from both parties. “We lack the money for that initiative moving forward.”