U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced that the Department of Transportation has secured an additional $41 million to maintain the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. This funding aims to prevent a lapse in the program due to a government shutdown led by Democrats, which threatened its continuation into early November.
The EAS program is crucial for rural communities, providing subsidies to air carriers operating out of less profitable rural airports. It connects smaller and medium-sized communities with larger airports, facilitating access to work opportunities, medical needs, and commercial goods.
Secretary Duffy said, "The Trump Administration is doing its part to keep critical federal services like EAS hanging on through Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries’ radical shutdown. Democrats are putting their wish list for illegal immigrants over the needs of smaller, American communities relying on services like EAS to connect their rural neighborhoods with vital services and opportunities." He urged Democrats to reopen the government to ensure these programs do not lapse.
On October 6, 2025, the Department informed EAS-eligible communities and air carriers about a potential shortfall in funding for EAS contracts and Alternate Essential Air Service (AEAS) grants. If funding lapses, contractual obligations will be suspended until appropriated funding is restored.
In related developments, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced nearly $20 million in grant awards through the Small Shipyard Grant Program on July 21. The funds aim to modernize shipyards and increase productivity while expanding local employment opportunities (https://www.maritime.dot.gov/newsroom/maritime-administration-awards-nearly-20-million-funding-strengthen-us-shipyard-economic).
Additionally, on the ADA's 32nd anniversary, winners of a $5 million Inclusive Design Challenge were announced by USDOT (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/anniversary-ada-usdot-announces-winners-its-first-ever-inclusive-design-challenge). Furthermore, new guidance and $7.3 billion in formula funding were introduced as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-administration-announces-new-protect-formula-program-73-billion-bipartisan).
For more information about the Essential Air Service program, click HERE.
Information from this article can be found here.
