Goal: Protect critical federal funding and support for the Essential Air Service Program to ensure the community of Saint Paul Island, Alaska has consistent and reliable air transportation service.
EAS Background: The Essential Air Service (EAS) program was put into place to guarantee that communities that were served by certificated air carriers to maintain a minimum level of scheduled air service. The United States Department of Transportation (the Department) is mandated by Congress to provide eligible EAS communities with access to the National Air Transportation System.
- As of Fall 2024, the Department provides EAS subsidy to air carriers, or grants to communities through the Alternate EAS (AEAS) program, to 65 communities in Alaska and 112 communities in the 48 contiguous states, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico that otherwise may not receive any scheduled air service.
- Communities in the AEAS program manage their own air service (currently all public charter service) using grants funded by the Department.
Legislative History: In May 2024, Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. This bill authorizes funds through Fiscal Year 2028 and communicates congressional priorities for how the agency carries out its mission, including protections to the EAS in Subtitle C – Air Service Development.
The issue: The House Budget Committee, through the Budget Reconciliation process has identified the EAS program as a proposed program to cut in order to save money and cut down on government spending.
What Can You Do?
Make your voice heard! Send emails or make phone calls to the Alaska delegation. Make it personal! Share your stories, your needs and concerns to demonstrate how important and critical EAS service is to the community of Saint Paul Island.
Governor Dunleavy
https://gov.alaska.gov/contact/feedback/ or (907) 465-3500
Senator Lisa Murkowski
https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/contact/email
Congressman Nick Begich
https://begich.house.gov/contact/email-me
Senator Dan Sullivan
https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/contact/email
Messaging/Talking Points:
- The EAS program is vital to the community of Saint Paul Island and other remote communities throughout Alaska as well as the mainland United States.
- Cuts to the EAS program would make the cost of traveling to/from Saint Paul Island, as well as the cost of groceries, mail, cargo, medical and other supplies, prohibitive and unaffordable to most residents.
- Undermining or eliminating the EAS program would add to an already grim economic picture resulting from the collapsed Bering Sea crab fisheries and instability in global fish markets.
- For reference, the average round trip airfare to and from Anchorage from Saint Paul Island typically costs $1,846. We estimate that without EAS support this cost would amount to over $2,600.
