NM, ME Request Full EAS Funding

Two senators from rural areas – Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) have urged the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies to fund the Essential Air Service Program at $127 million for FY09 and to fund the Small Community Air Service Development Program...

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Two senators from rural areas – Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) have urged the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies to fund the Essential Air Service Program at $127 million for FY09 and to fund the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) at $35 million; according to an alert by Regional Aviation Partners. The two also want a provision included in the FY09 Transportation Appropriations Bill that bars mandatory cost sharing as was included in the FY08 bill. They also want a provision calling for the implementation of fuel cost adjustments through Section 402 of Vision 100.
RAP indicated that, unchanged, the DOT’s budget proposal would cut funding to the EAS program, jeopardizing air service in over 64 EAS communities. It also noted that it provides no funding for the SCASDP.
“With record breaking fuel costs and the volatile aviation industry, it is critical that the Essential Air Service program is funded at the authorized level just to maintain existing air service to the current EAS communities,” said RAP, urging its members to get in touch with their representatives.