United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2006-09-14 monographic deposited born digital 44 p. GA 1.13:GAO-06-398T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-398T P0b002ee18038aa9b f:d06398t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-398T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-398T GAO-06-398T Airlines Commercial aviation Cost analysis Federal aid for transportation Financial analysis Grants to local governments Program evaluation Strategic planning Subsidies Transportation costs Essential Air Service Program Small Community Air Service Development Program Testimony A60924

Over the last decade, significant changes have occurred in the airline industry. Network carriers are facing challenging financial conditions and low-cost carriers are attracting passengers away from some small community airports. These changes, and others, have challenged the ability of small communities to attract adequate commercial air service. In response to these challenges, Congress has established two key funding programs--the Essential Air Service (EAS) and the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP)--to help small communities retain or attract air service. However, the sustainability of such funding could be affected by the federal government's fiscal imbalance. In addition, GAO reports have raised questions about how these programs support commercial air service to small communities. Given this environment, this testimony discusses (1) the development and impact of EAS, (2) the status of SCASDP and (3) options for reforming EAS and evaluating SCASDP. The testimony is based on previous GAO research and interviews related to these programs, along with program updates. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-398T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-398T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-398T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-398T.pdf GAO-06-398T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-398T Testimony GAO-06-398T; Commercial Aviation: Programs and Options for the Federal Approach to Providing and Improving Air Service to Small Communities; Airlines Commercial aviation Cost analysis Federal aid for transportation Financial analysis Grants to local governments Program evaluation Strategic planning Subsidies Transportation costs Essential Air Service Program Small Community Air Service Development Program Title 1549 Section 41732 1549 U.S.C. 41732 Volume 115 Page 597 115 Stat. 597 Public Law 104-264 Public Law 107-71 Public Law 108-176 Public Law 109-13 Title 14 Part 121 14 CFR Part 121