Smith to Lawmakers: Reform, Don’t Eliminate, Essential Air Service

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) has sent a bipartisan letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation urging them to reform and maintain the Essential Air Service (EAS) program in the final FAA Reauthorization bill:

“We cannot afford to eliminate a tool the economies of rural communities depend on, particularly when these communities are still feeling the effects of the recession,” wrote Smith. “Businesses need access to convenient and dependable air service.”

“As with any program, Congress should constantly work to ensure it is spending taxpayer dollars as effectively as possible,” Smith continued. “However, simply sun-setting the existing program instead of pursuing meaningful reforms would do considerable damage to communities throughout the country.”

Smith was joined on the letter by Congressman Michael Michaud (D-ME). It is widely acknowledged rural businesses would be put at a competitive disadvantage should the EAS program be discontinued in the final Conference Report on the FAA Reauthorization. Smith serves as chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus and is a member of the Congressional General Aviation Caucus.

Click hereto view the full letter.

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