The US Department of Transportation has secured USD41 million to prevent the Essential Air Service programme, which subsidises flights to rural communities, from running out of funding due to the US government shutdown.

In a statement on October 8, Transportation Secretary Sean P Duffy said the funding should prevent the scheme from lapsing at least until early November.

EAS provides subsidies to carriers serving routes that are not commercially profitable, connecting small and medium-sized communities to larger airports and vital services, including work opportunities, medical care, and commercial goods.

On October 6, the DOT had warned EAS communities and carriers of a potential shortfall that could have led to a lapse of funding for EAS contracts after October 12, 2025.