The federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program supports rural access to commercial air service in 177 communities nationwide — including Bradford.

Recent federal budget proposals indicate potential cuts to total EAS funding by approximately 50%, based on available budget reports regarding discretionary appropriations, mandatory outlays and projected reductions in coming years.

EAS was established after the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, which removed federal control over airline routes and fares. To prevent small and rural communities from losing air service entirely, the government has provided subsidies to airlines that fly to and from these areas.

“Reliable air travel is crucial for our local economy and overall quality of life,” said Alicia Dankesreiter, manager of Bradford Regional Airport. “Consider contacting our elected officials to advocate for maintaining and strengthening this vital service. Your support can truly make a difference.”

Typically, EAS works to ensure a minimum of two round trips per day to a larger airport hub. The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees the program and determines which communities qualify and negotiates contracts with airlines. Rather than with local tax dollars, EAS is funded largely by flyover fees paid by foreign airlines that fly over U.S. airspace without landing, according to the Regional Airline Association, raa.org.

“By subsidizing commercial air service to small airports such as Bradford Regional Airport (BFD) that would otherwise be economically unviable, the program sustains local economies and provides critical links for business travel, tourism, access to healthcare and education,” Bradford Airport’s call to action reads.

“Our communities will face significant challenges if forced to rely solely on ground transportation or distant hub airports,” the advocacy bulletin reads. “Residents and businesses in our region need EAS-supported flights to provide a lifeline to larger markets, helping retain talent and facilitate commerce.

“The presence of air service also influences corporate decisions on where to locate or invest, making EAS a strategic economic development tool for McKean County.”

The advocacy bulletin notes that 25% of Bradford Airport’s traffic is generated by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. If the airport were to lose its EAS funding, officials said the facility would no longer be eligible for the same levels of federal or state funding and would lose its FAA Part 139 status — leaving it unable to serve St. Bonaventure University sports charters.

At a minimum, the bulletin states, 15 local jobs would be lost.

According to the American Association of Airport Executives, at aaae.org, “The administration writes that ‘spending on this program is out of control, more than doubling between 2021 and 2025. The budget reins in EAS subsidies by proposing a mix of reforms to adjust eligibility and subsidy rates to help rural communities’ air transportation needs in a more sustainable manner.’”

Nearby, airports in DuBois, Altoona and Johnstown rely on EAS funding as well. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., issued a statement May 6, noting that five airports in the northernmost region of Upstate New York also rely on EAS.

“Without it many would lose these vital flights hurting residents, businesses, universities and hampering tourism, as well,” Schumer wrote. “I know how important (EAS) is for our rural communities … to get access to these flights to boost the local economy and connect area residents and businesses with national and international travel options.”

Without it, Schumer said, residents would be left to travel significant distances for air service.

Bradford Airport’s save-our-service notice states that the proposed cuts would “widen the increasingly insurmountable gap between urban and rural Pennsylvania.”