Calling the Essential Air Service (EAS) a program of "low transportation value," Rep. Ernest J. Istook (R-Okla.) is aiming to gut the program in 2004. Istook offered an amendment that would reduce EAS funding to $41.5 million in 2004 from $113 million this year. The House Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies, which Istook chairs, approved the amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill largely along party lines (CRAN, June 23).

The action sets up a battle in the full Appropriations Committee, which is scheduled to mark up the bill today (July 21). The House and Senate versions of the bill included $115 million and $113 million, respectively, for the EAS program, prior to the subcommittee's action. While EAS does need some improvement, it is the "life blood" of smaller communities, said Faye Malarkey, the director of legislative affairs for the Regional Airline Association (RAA). Under the subcommittee's proposal, any community within 210 miles of a medium or large hub airport would lose their current subsidy, Malarkey told CRAN.

That translates to about three dozen communities that would lose regional air service. Malarkey said she is organizing RAA members to lobby every member of the Appropriations Committee and member of Congress whose community stands to lose the EAS program. She said the chances are good that 2004 funding will be restored to previous levels.

>>Contact: Faye Malarkey, RAA, 202-367-1170.<<