White House budget recommendation could impact small airports in Mississippi through cut of EAS program

Proposed federal budget cuts could hurt Hattiesburg-Laurel Airport

The Trump Administration is looking to cut subsidies for air service to small, rural airports, including the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport.  

The administration’s proposed 2018 fiscal budget would eliminate the decades-old Essential Air Service (EAS) Program…

…The Essential Air Service Program costs taxpayers about $175 million each year.

About 150 communities are served by it, including Hattiesburg-Laurel, Greenville, Meridian and Tupelo.    

Heanue believes the program will survive, but it will probably be considered for elimination again next year.  

WDAM
3/21/17