The U.S. Department of Transportation says it has obtained $41 million in additional funding to continue the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, temporarily averting a lapse in operations caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Funding for the program was initially slated to run out by Sunday as the shutdown enters its second week.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday the funds will allow the department to sustain EAS subsidies through “early November.”
EAS provides federal payments to airlines serving markets that would otherwise be unprofitable, connecting rural airports and larger hubs. The program currently supports 169 communities across the U.S., including more than 40 in Alaska.
In a statement, Duffy said the additional funds would “keep critical federal services like EAS hanging on” until Congress restores full appropriations. The department previously warned EAS carriers and eligible communities on Monday of potential contract suspensions and reimbursement delays if funding lapsed.
The agency did not say where the additional $41 million originated.
Under those contingency plans, DOT said it would suspend air carrier obligations under EAS contracts and Alternate Essential Air Service grants until budget authority was reinstated.
The newly secured funds are expected to prevent those interruptions, at least temporarily.
