U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has secured an additional $111 million in funding to sustain the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which was at risk of a funding lapse amid the ongoing government shutdown. The new funding, which is in addition to the previously announced $41 million, is expected to keep the program operating through November 18, with the potential for further extensions.
“Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are holding the country hostage so they can try to force the America people to fund healthcare for illegal immigrants. Democrats may have forgotten they work for the American people, but I am doing everything in my power to keep DOT programs like Essential Air Service going through the shutdown so no community loses access having access to vital services and opportunities. This Democrat shutdown is unsustainable. Schumer and Jeffries need to put political radicalism aside and reopen the government now,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
On October 6, 2025, DOT notified EAS-eligible communities and participating air carriers of a possible shortfall in appropriated funding for EAS contracts and Alternate Essential Air Service (AEAS) grants. If funding were to lapse, the Department said it would suspend contractual obligations and reimbursement under AEAS grants until appropriated funding is restored and full budget authority reinstated.
The Essential Air Service program provides federal subsidies to air carriers serving rural and low-population airports where commercial routes would otherwise be unprofitable. The program helps connect smaller and mid-sized communities to larger airports, ensuring continued access to critical transportation networks.
The original announcement can be found here.
