Two Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced a bill to terminate the federal government’s Essential Air Service program. Senator James Lankford and Congressman Steve Russell, both Republicans, this week introduced the Senate and House versions of the Free Market Flights Act, saying that it is “unfair” to ask taxpayers to provide subsidized air service in rural areas. None of Oklahoma’s airports qualify for the EAS subsidy.
“It is simply unfair to expect families in 99 percent of cities to subsidize convenient travel options for passengers flying in and out of the Essential Air Service airports,” said Lankford. “Congress should recognize that this 37-year temporary program is no longer essential and should eliminate it.”
The budget for the EAS program has grown significantly in recent years. In 2015 the Congress budgeted $263 million for the program, up from $131.5 million in 2011.
Lankford notes that the Congressional Budget Office has recommended that Congress consider eliminating the program.
The EAS program was established in 1978 as part of the Airline Deregulation Act. The goal was to guarantee that small communities that were served by certificated air carriers before airline deregulation maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service. The United States Department of Transportation is mandated to provide eligible EAS communities with access to the National Air Transportation System. The DOT currently subsidizes commuter and certificated air carriers to serve approximately 60 communities in Alaska and 115 communities in the lower 48 contiguous states that otherwise would not receive any scheduled air service.
