en.Wedoany.com Reported - The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report stating that scheduled passenger air service in small communities continues to face pressure, with non-hub airports being particularly affected. Data shows that at non-hub airports not supported by the subsidized Essential Air Service (EAS) program, the average number of daily flights per route declined by 19% from 2018 to 2024, with over 70% of such airports experiencing a decrease in flight numbers during this period.
Between 2018 and 2023, both total flight numbers and average daily flights in small communities decreased. Meanwhile, the number of seats on flights departing from these communities increased, indicating that airlines are using larger aircraft. Connectivity metrics, used to measure access to the aviation system, also declined during this period.
Significant differences exist between airports supported by the Essential Air Service (EAS) program and those not supported. From 2018 to 2024, daily flights per route at non-EAS non-hub airports fell by 21%, while non-hub airports receiving EAS services saw only a 5% decline. The average connectivity index score for non-EAS non-hub airports dropped by 8.9%, compared to a 2.6% decline for EAS non-hub airports.
According to GAO analysis, shortages of pilots and maintenance personnel, rising airline operating costs, and increased expectations for revenue guarantees are the main factors affecting air service in small communities. Federal programs supporting small community air service are also facing additional pressure. As of November 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) stated that the EAS program supported 108 airports in the 48 contiguous states, in addition to 70 communities in Alaska, 4 communities in Hawaii, and 1 community in Puerto Rico.
Program costs continue to rise. From 2018 to 2023, total EAS subsidies for communities in the 48 contiguous states increased by 31% (adjusted to 2023 dollars), attributed to rising aviation labor and fuel costs, inflation, and increased use of regional jets. Another program, the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP), provides grants to underserved communities, but communities receiving EAS services are not eligible to apply. In fiscal year 2023, 40 eligible communities applied for over $31 million through SCASDP, but the DOT allocated only approximately $12 million to 14 communities.
The GAO noted that stakeholders and recent studies have proposed several options to improve service, including modifying EAS and SCASDP program rules, increasing the aviation labor supply, supporting bus connections to larger airports, and studying the feasibility of using electric aircraft in specific smaller markets.
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