Duffy on Essential Air Service: ‘More With Less’

The Trump administration is eyeing changes to the nearly 50-year-old program.

A Delta Connection CRJ-200 in Butte, Mont. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)

[ U.S. Essential Air Service ]May 16, 2025 9:50 am ET

By Ryan Ewing

The Essential Air Service program is on the Trump administration’s radar for budget cuts, with plans to cut the program by around $308 million.

This proposal was included in the White House’s “Skinny Budget,” which would cut billions in federal spending if enacted by Congress.

In its discretionary funding request for 2026, the Trump administration claims that the EAS program “funnels taxpayer dollars to airlines to subsidize half-empty flights from airports that are within easy commuting distance from each other, while also failing to effectively provide assistance to most rural air travelers.”

The administration further states that spending on these subsidies is “out of control.”

Duffy Comments

The Department of Transportation oversees the nearly $400 million program. It selects air carriers to serve rural communities and issues subsidies.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was grilled in a Senate hearing on Thursday; several Senators asked about the department’s plans for the 47-year-old program.

“I anticipated I was going to get a number of questions from virtually everyone on this panel about this program,” he said. “I understand your concern. I am going to work on trying to bring efficiencies to the program, [and] bring costs down.”

Over 160 airports qualify under the EAS program, and about 60 of those are in Alaska.

A Boeing 737-700 on the ramp of Gustavus Airport in Gustavus, Alaska. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fangzhong Guo)

Duffy added that he understood “how meaningful” the program is to many communities but that he will be looking at changes. He said the DOT plans to work with senators on these shake-ups, including “how we think we can do more with less.”

Sen. Susan Collins responded to Duffy during the hearing, saying, “I think you’re going to need to do more with more.” Collins represents Maine, which has some of the most valuable Essential Air Service contracts in the Lower 48.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Follow Ryan

Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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