Overview
- After warning subsidies would lapse Oct. 12 and carrier obligations be waived Oct. 13, DOT says the stopgap extends support through roughly Nov. 2.
- The Essential Air Service program underwrites flights for about 169 to 177 communities nationwide, with Alaska most reliant on the service.
- DOT says appropriated funds are frozen while any payments during the lapse will be pro rata based on limited overflight fees.
- Operators including SkyWest, Contour and Alaska Airlines have pledged to keep scheduled flights operating at risk during the funding uncertainty.
- Airport leaders from Colorado, Utah, Arizona, South Dakota, Pennsylvania and Alabama warn that any interruption could force long drives, curtail travel and hurt local economies and access to medical care.