🔗 Share this article US Says Subsidies for Air Service to Rural Areas to Expire as Soon as Sunday Federal officials has stated that financial support from a US government program that supports commercial air service to rural airports are scheduled to end as soon as Sunday because of 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 advance. Transportation officials is currently notifying carriers about the financial gap and informing communities about potential effects. The government provides approximately $350 million in yearly financial support for the program. In recent months, the White House suggested reducing financial support by $308m for the Essential Air Service, which has support among GOP legislators because it provides services to predominantly Republican rural regions. During the first presidency of Donald Trump, the White House suggested terminating the Essential Air Service program – but Congress chose to boost financial support instead. This initiative typically supports two return flights daily using medium-sized planes – or additional frequencies with smaller aircraft. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 communities in Alaska receive service and 112 communities across the remaining states and Puerto Rico that otherwise might not receive any airline service. “Every state nationwide will feel the effects,” the transportation secretary stated during a press conference, noting the program had support from both parties. “We lack the money for that initiative going forward.”