President Donald Trump’s proposed budget trims billions of dollars from several high-profile programs and agencies, and big chunks of money from many more that most Americans have never heard of. One of the lesser-known domestic line items due for elimination is the $175 million Essential Air Services program that provides federal subsidies for commercial air service at rural airports.
White House Budget Calls for Elimination of Essential Air Services Subsidies
Key Takeaways:
- President Trump's proposed budget seeks to eliminate the $175 million Essential Air Services (EAS) program.
- The EAS program provides federal subsidies for commercial air service to 60 communities in Alaska and 115 in the lower 48 states, often as their sole commercial air link.
- Arguments for elimination include high subsidy costs per passenger, low flight occupancy, and the proximity of some subsidized airports to larger, unsubsidized hubs.
- Eliminating EAS would negatively impact several commuter airlines and potentially leave recipient communities without commercial air transportation.
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