AFTER NORTH COUNTRY AIRPORTS FACED MAJOR CUTS, SCHUMER PROTECTS AND BOOSTS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM THAT NORTH COUNTRY AIRPORTS RELY ON TO KEEP[...]

Essential Air Service Program Is The Main Federal Funding That Brings Flights To Watertown, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Adirondack Regional And Massena International Airports

After Trump's Attempt To Decimate Essential Air Service Program Leaving All Major North Country Airports Without The Support They Need To Provide Air Service, Schumer Announces Just-Passed Funding Bill Rejects Funding Cuts For Critical Flights That Drive Local Economy

Schumer: Protecting Essential Air Service Funding Is A Victory For Families And Small Businesses Across The North Country

After calling on Republicans to protect funding for the federal Essential Air Service program amid Trump's proposed cuts, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today announced he has successfully increased funding for the vital program that all five North Country airports rely on. The Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill provides $514 million for the EAS program - a nearly 15% increase from last year, rejecting Trump's proposal to cut the program by 50% and preventing the Department of Transportation from haphazardly terminating any EAS contracts.

"The Essential Air Service program is a lifeline for residents, businesses, and universities across the North Country. When I heard Trump wanted to cut funding for this vital program in half, I fought to protect it because I know how important it is for our rural communities like the North Country to get access to these flights to boost the local economy and connect area residents and businesses with national and international travel options," said Senator Schumer. "I'm proud to announce we successfully prevented these changes from clearing the runway because I have not just preserved, but boosted, funding for this vital program preventing thousands of North Country residents from being left stranded having to travel hundreds of miles to get air service."

Schumer explained that all five of the airports in New York that rely on EAS are in the North Country and help support flights critically important to the local economy, including:

• Ogdensburg International Airport: round trip flights to Washington's Dulles International Airport
• Massena International Airport: round trip flights to Boston-Logan International Airport
• Plattsburgh International Airport: round trip flights to Washington's Dulles International Airport
• Adirondack Regional Airport: round trip flights to Boston-Logan International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Watertown International Airport: round trip flights to Philadelphia International Airport

Trump's budget proposal would have slashed the EAS program by over $300 million next year, 50% of the program's budget, gutting support for airports in the North Country. Schumer sounded the alarm on these proposed cuts, and said without these airports, North Country passengers would have to travel hundreds of miles to access air service. For example, passengers in Massena would have to travel as much as 256 miles to access air service. In addition to potential loss of air service, Trump's budget proposal would also have devastated the local economy, potentially eliminating hundreds of jobs. Schumer announced, following his advocacy, the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill provides $514 million for the EAS program, not only rejecting Trump's proposal to cut the program by 50% and preventing the Department of Transportation from haphazardly terminating any EAS contracts but also increases funding by $64 million compared to last year - a nearly 15% increase.

The Essential Air Service program was developed after the airline industry was deregulated in 1978. Deregulation gave airlines the freedom to decide which markets to serve and how much to charge for that service. This led to a scarcity of air service in many communities across the country where operating costs were higher and populations were smaller and less dense. The EAS program was put into place to guarantee air service to these underserved communities. EAS ensures commuter airlines across the country serve rural communities, including Upstate New York.

The EAS program is widely popular and has been incredibly successful in Upstate NY. Schumer previously announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation named Breeze Airways as Ogdensburg International Airport's new Essential Air Service carrier. Breeze launched a new direct, daily route from Ogdensburg International Airport to Washington, D.C.'s Dulles Airport in October 2024.

Schumer has worked for years to ensure NY's airports are adequately funded and in the 2024 FAA bill secured an over 111% funding increase per year to strengthen the Essential Air Service (EAS) program and ensure small and rural communities maintain regular commercial service. The bill also makes it harder for airlines to terminate contracts that could leave communities without air service by incentivizing airports to keep their essential air service contracts, protecting families in areas that would not have easy access to an airport without the small one in their community.

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