Commercial Aviation : Programs and Options for Providing Air Service to Small Communities

Congress established two key programs to help support air service to small communities -- the Essential Air Service (EAS) providing about $100 million in subsidies/year & the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) that provides about $20 million/year in grants. As part of its reauthorization of the Fed. Aviation Admin., the Congress is examining the status & outcomes of these programs. This testimony discusses: (1) the history & challenges of the EAS program; (2) the implementation & outcomes of the SCASDP; & (3) options for reforming EAS & SCASDP. The testimony is based on previous reports, interviews with Dept. of Transport. officials & industry rep. as well as program updates. Charts.Dillingham, Gerald L. is the author of 'Commercial Aviation : Programs and Options for Providing Air Service to Small Communities', published 2007 under ISBN 9781422315774 and ISBN 1422315770.