Federal funding for small airports may soon be cut off
May 12, 2011, 11:30 am
The Essential Air Service program provides funds for airlines to offer flights to small airports, but Congress may soon be limiting or completely ending this operation. Currently, airlines are required to offer a minimum number of flights each day to 110 rural airports across 35 of the continental states.
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would end the program in an effort to cut government spending. According to The Associated Press, conservative politicians have long since considered the $200 million program to be a wasteful use of government money.
Another bill, which passed in the U.S. Senate, proposes that the Essential Air Service budget be limited, but not completely eradicated, reports WDIO-TV. This modification of the program would disqualify any small airfields that come within 90 miles of larger airports or those that serve fewer than 10 passengers on a daily basis.
The AP states that imposing these limitations would cancel service to nearly 40 airports nationwide. Pilots may want to purchase pilot life insurance as they may need to take their own planes to reach these rural destinations.
Forty-four small Alaskan airports will not be affected by either legislation as these airports provide access to a number of communities that are only accessible by planes and boats.
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