Essential Air Service


Essential Air Service is a U.S. government program enacted to guarantee that small communities in the United States, which had been served by certificated airlines prior to deregulation in 1978, maintain commercial service. Its aim is to maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service to these communities that otherwise would not be profitable. The program is codified at.
The United States Department of Transportation subsidizes airlines to serve communities across the country that otherwise would not receive scheduled air service. As of June 1, 2015, 159 communities in the US received EAS subsidies, of which 44 were in Alaska, two in Hawaii, and one in Puerto Rico. The decision as to what degree of subsidized service a community requires is made based on identifying a specific hub for the community and from there determining the number of trips, seats, and type of aircraft that are necessary to serve that hub.
These increases occurred despite numerous Congressional measures to contain program spending. The George W. Bush Administration sought to reduce the cost of the program to $50 million by stricter eligibility criteria and requiring the local governments of the areas served to contribute to the cost. As of October 2024, subsidies for the program amounted $550 million.

Community eligibility criteria

Pursuant to the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2000, no community within the 48 contiguous states may receive a subsidy greater than $200 per passenger unless the community is more than from the nearest large or medium hub airport. Pursuant to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, to be eligible for the program, a community in the contiguous 48 states must either maintain an average of 10 or more enplanements per service day or be located more than from the nearest large or medium hub airport. The criteria for 10 or more enplanements can be waived by the Secretary of Transportation, on an annual basis, if a community can demonstrate that it is due to a temporary decline.
The Department of Transportation, pursuant to the Consolidated and Further Appropriations Act of 2015, is required to negotiate a local cost share with communities located less than from a small hub airport.

Controversy

Critics question the economic and environmental efficiency of the service. According to a 2006 New York Times article on the program, the subsidy per passenger, averaged across the entire program excluding Alaska, is approximately $74, and much higher on some particularly poorly patronized flights where subsidies are as high as $801 per passenger.
The program is politically popular in the cities receiving the subsidized flights, many of which use an airport with scheduled service as a selling point to attract industry to their regions. Several subsidized airports are within an hour's drive from an unsubsidized airport.

Report tables

The following tables list all Essential Air Service communities under the various funding programs. This is based on the most recent reports issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and updated to reflect changes based on DOT orders. Docket and order numbers link to their respective pages on the docket management site, which typically includes the original files in PDF and other formats. The hubs are designated using the three-letter IATA airport code assigned by the International Air Transport Association.

Subsidized EAS communities

Areas excluding Alaska

JurisdictionCommunityAirportDestinationsAir carrierAircraft /
maximum seats
Annual subsidyDocketOrderExpires
AZPrescottErnest A. Love FieldDenver
----Los Angeles
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,879,690
$6,291,268
$6,731,657
31 Aug 2027
ARHarrisonBoone County AirportDallas/Fort Worth
----Memphis
Southern Airways ExpressCessna 208 Caravan / 9$3,789,614
$3,884,355
$3,981,464
$4,081,000
28 Feb 2027
ARHot SpringsMemorial Field AirportDallas/Fort Worth
----Memphis
Southern Airways ExpressCessna 208 Caravan / 9$2,936,106
$3,009,509
$3,084,747
$3,161,866
28 Feb 2027
ARJonesboroJonesboro Municipal AirportNashville
----St. Louis
Southern Airways ExpressCessna 208 Caravan / 9$2,217,130
$2,283,644
$2,352,153
$2,422,718
28 Feb 2026
CAEl CentroImperial County AirportLos Angeles
----Phoenix
Southern Airways ExpressCessna 208 Caravan / 9$2,920,934
$2,993,957
$3,068,806
$3,145,526
30 Apr 2026
CAMercedMerced Regional AirportLas Vegas
----Los Angeles-Hawthorne
Advanced AirPilatus PC-12 / 9$3,552,016
$3,658,576
$3,768,333
$3,881,383
31 Dec 2025
COAlamosaSan Luis Valley Regional AirportDenver Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionDornier 328JET / 30 or
Embraer ERJ-145 / 50
$5,679,884
$6,077,476
30 Jun 2026
COCortezCortez Municipal AirportDenver
----Phoenix
Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionMetroliner 23 / 9$6,876,394
$7,357,741
$7,872,783
$8,423,878
30 Sep 2028
COPuebloPueblo Memorial AirportDenver Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionDornier 328JET / 30 or
Embraer ERJ-145 / 50
$6,449,526
$6,836,498
31 Mar 2027
HIHanaHana AirportKahului Southern Airways Express d.b.a. Mokulele AirlinesCessna 208 Caravan / 9$956,792
$995,064
$1,034,866
$1,076,261
31 Jan 2028
HIKamuelaWaimea-Kohala AirportKahului Southern Airways Express d.b.a. Mokulele AirlinesCessna 208 Caravan / 9$1,006,986
$1,032,161
$1,057,965
$1,084,414
30 Jun 2029
HIKalaupapaKalaupapa AirportHonolulu
----Molokai
Southern Airways Express d.b.a. Mokulele AirlinesCessna 208 Caravan / 9$2,380,027
$2,439,528
$2,500,516
$2,563,029
30 Apr 2029
IAFort DodgeFort Dodge Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$6,471,432
$6,924,432
$7,409,142
31 Mar 2027
IAMason CityMason City Municipal AirportChicago-O'Hare SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$6,537,921
$6,995,575
$7,485,266
31 Mar 2027
IASioux CitySioux Gateway AirportChicago-O'Hare
Denver
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,358,880
$5,734,001
$6,135,381
31 Dec 2026
IAWaterlooWaterloo Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare American Airlines Group Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$7,464,24230 Apr 2026
ILDecaturDecatur AirportChicago-O'Hare SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$6,120,951
$6,426,999
$6,748,349
$7,085,766
31 Dec 2028
ILMarion / HerrinVeterans Airport of Southern IllinoisChicago-O'Hare Corporate Flight Management d.b.a. Contour AirlinesEmbraer ERJ-135 / 30$5,595,516
$5,819,337
$6,052,110
31 Jul 2026
KSDodge CityDodge City Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$6,880,125
$7,361,734
$7,877,055
30 Apr 2027
KSGarden CityGarden City Regional AirportDallas/Fort Worth American Airlines Group Bombardier CRJ700 / 65$5,897,64031 Jul 2026
KSHaysHays Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$6,022,964
$6,444,571
$6,895,691
30 Apr 2027
KSLiberal, KS / Guymon, OKLiberal Mid-America Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$6,524,077
$6,980,762
$7,469,415
30 Apr 2027
KSSalinaSalina Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare
Denver
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,958,376
$6,375,463
$6,821,745
31 Dec 2026
KYOwensboroOwensboro–Daviess County Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare Corporate Flight Management d.b.a. Contour AirlinesEmbraer ERJ-135 / 30$5,607,114
$5,831,399
$6,064,655
31 Jul 2026
KYPaducahBarkley Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$4,549,562
$4,686,049
$4,826,631
$4,971,429
30 Nov 2029
MEAugusta / WatervilleAugusta State AirportBoston Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirTecnam P2012 Traveller / 9$3,021,655
$3,263,388
$3,524,459
$3,806,416
31 Oct 2026
MEBar HarborHancock County–Bar Harbor AirportBoston Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirCessna 402C / 9 or
Tecnam P2012 Traveller / 9
$4,268,633
$4,396,693
$4,528,593
$4,664,452
14 Oct 2028
MEPresque IslePresque Isle International AirportBoston JetBlueAirbus A220-300 / 140$10,412,703
$11,235,581
31 Aug 2026
MERocklandKnox County Regional AirportBoston Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirTecnam P2012 Traveller / 9$3,303,476
$3,567,755
$3,853,175
$4,161,429
31 Oct 2026
MIAlpenaAlpena County Regional AirportDetroit SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$6,750,234
$7,222,751
$7,728,343
30 Sep 2027
MIEscanabaDelta County AirportDetroit
----Minneapolis/Saint Paul
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$6,899,725
$7,244,711
31 Dec 2025
MIHancock / HoughtonHoughton County Memorial AirportChicago-O'Hare SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$6,513,688
$6,969,646
$7,457,521
31 Jan 2028
MIIron Mountain / KingsfordFord AirportDetroit
----Minneapolis/Saint Paul
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$7,068,428
$7,563,218
31 Jan 2026
MIIronwood, MI / Ashland, WIGogebic–Iron County AirportChicago-O'Hare
----Minneapolis/Saint Paul
Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionDornier 328JET / 30 or
Embraer ERJ-145 / 50
$7,204,867
$7,709,208
$7,709,208
$7,709,208
30 Sep 2027
MIMuskegonMuskegon County AirportChicago-O'Hare Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionDornier 328JET / 30 or
Embraer ERJ-145 / 50
$6,805,487
$7,281,872
$7,791,603
$8,337,015
31 Oct 2028
MIPellstonPellston Regional AirportDetroit SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50
Bombardier CRJ550 / 50
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$4,219,848
$4,430,840
$4,652,382
$4,885,001
31 Jan 2029
MISault Ste. MarieChippewa County International AirportDetroit
----Minneapolis/Saint Paul
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$7,181,640
$7,684,354
31 Jan 2026
MNBemidjiBemidji Regional AirportMinneapolis/Saint Paul SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$4,227,249
$4,438,611
$4,660,542
$4,893,569
28 Feb 2029
MNBrainerdBrainerd Lakes Regional AirportMinneapolis/Saint Paul SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$5,676,069
$6,073,394
31 Jan 2026
MNChisholm / HibbingRange Regional AirportMinneapolis/Saint Paul SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$6,992,582
$7,482,063
$8,005,808
31 May 2027
MNInternational FallsFalls International AirportMinneapolis/Saint Paul SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$6,112,190
$6,540,044
31 Jan 2026
MNThief River FallsThief River Falls Regional AirportMinneapolis/Saint Paul Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionDornier 328JET / 30 or
Embraer ERJ-145 / 50
$5,801,556
$5,975,603
$6,154,871
$6,339,517
$6,529,702
31 May 2027
MOCape Girardeau / SikestonCape Girardeau Regional AirportCharlotte
----Chicago-O'Hare
Corporate Flight Management d.b.a. Contour AirlinesBombardier CRJ200 / 30
----Embraer ERJ-135 / 30
$5,927,496
$6,223,871
$6,535,064
$6,861,818
30 Sep 2029
MOFort Leonard WoodWaynesville–St. Robert Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare
----Dallas/Fort Worth
Corporate Flight Management d.b.a. Contour AirlinesEmbraer ERJ-135 / 30$5,727,896
$6,014,291
$6,315,005
$6,630,755
30 Sep 2029
MOJoplinJoplin Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare
Denver
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,459,372
$5,841,528
$6,250,434
30 Apr 2027
MOKirksvilleKirksville Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare Corporate Flight Management d.b.a. Contour AirlinesEmbraer ERJ-135 / 30$5,609,670
$5,834,057
$6,067,419
31 Jul 2026
MSGreenvilleGreenville Mid-Delta AirportAtlanta
----Dallas/Fort Worth
Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionDornier 328JET / 30 or
Embraer ERJ-145 / 50
$6,398,108
$6,718,014
30 Sep 2027
MSHattiesburg / LaurelHattiesburg–Laurel Regional AirportHouston-Intercontinental SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,987,253
$6,406,361
$6,854,806
31 Mar 2027
MSMeridianMeridian Regional AirportHouston-Intercontinental SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,275,337
$5,644,610
$6,039,733
31 Mar 2027
MTButteBert Mooney AirportDenver
Salt Lake City
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50
Bombardier CRJ550 / 50
$6,354,635
$6,799,459
$7,275,421
31 Dec 2027
MTGlasgowGlasgow Valley County AirportBillings Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirCessna 402C / 9 or
Tecnam P2012 Traveller / 9
$2,719,975
$2,855,974
$2,998,773
$3,148,711
31 Dec 2027
MTGlendiveDawson Community AirportBillings Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirCessna 402C / 9 or
Tecnam P2012 Traveller / 9
$2,874,243
$3,017,955
$3,168,853
$3,327,295
31 Dec 2027
MTHavreHavre City–County AirportBillings Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirCessna 402C / 9 or
Tecnam P2012 Traveller / 9
$2,849,018
$2,991,468
$3,141,042
$3,298,094
31 Dec 2027
MTSidneySidney–Richland Municipal AirportBillings Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirCessna 402C / 9 or
Tecnam P2012 Traveller / 9
$6,002,320
$6,302,436
$6,617,558
$6,948,436
31 Dec 2027
MTWest YellowstoneYellowstone AirportDenver - Seasonal
----Salt Lake City - Seasonal
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50
Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$3,101,601
$3,318,713
$3,551,023
15 Oct 2026
MTWolf PointL. M. Clayton AirportBillings Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirCessna 402C / 9 or
Tecnam P2012 Traveller / 9
$2,902,953
$3,048,100
$3,200,505
$3,360,530
31 Dec 2027
NDDevils LakeDevils Lake Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$7,749,051
$8,291,485
$8,871,889
30 Jun 2027
NDDickinsonDickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,451,987
$5,833,626
$6,241,980
30 Sep 2027
NDJamestownJamestown Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$7,443,767
$7,964,830
$8,522,369
30 Jun 2027
NEAllianceAlliance Municipal AirportDenver Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionMetroliner 23 / 9$4,179,971
$4,472,569
$4,785,649
$5,120,645
31 August 2029
NEChadronChadron Municipal AirportDenver Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionMetroliner 23 / 9$4,185,771
$4,478,775
$4,792,290
$5,127,750
31 August 2029
NEGrand IslandCentral Nebraska Regional AirportDallas/Fort Worth SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 / 65 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$4,997,598
$5,247,478
30 Jun 2027
NEKearneyKearney Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,894,232
$6,306,828
$6,748,306
31 Oct 2027
NEMcCookMcCook Ben Nelson Regional AirportDenver Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionMetroliner 23 / 9$3,567,084
$3,816,780
$4,083,955
$4,369,831
31 May 2028
NENorth PlatteNorth Platte Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,119,465
$5,477,828
$5,861,276
31 Dec 2026
NEScottsbluffWestern Nebraska Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$4,732,229
$5,063,485
$5,417,929
31 Dec 2026
NHLebanon, NH / White River Junction, VTLebanon Municipal AirportBoston
----White Plains
Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirTecnam P2012 Traveller / 9$5,226,722
$5,644,860
$6,096,449
$6,584,164
30 Nov 2026
NMCarlsbadCavern City Air TerminalAlbuquerque
----Phoenix
Advanced AirKing Air 350 / 9$5,205,254
$5,517,570
31 Jan 2026
NMClovisClovis Regional AirportDallas/Fort Worth
----Denver
Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionEmbraer ERJ-145 / 50$4,804,92130 Apr 2026
NMSilver City / Hurley / DemingGrant County AirportAlbuquerque
----Phoenix
Advanced AirKing Air 350 / 9$6,996,030
$7,485,752
$8,009,755
$8,570,438
31 Jan 2029
NYMassenaMassena International AirportBoston Boutique AirPilatus PC-12 / 8$5,756,644
$6,044,477
$6,225,811
31 Mar 2028
NYOgdensburgOgdensburg International AirportWashington-Dulles Breeze AirwaysAirbus A220 / 137$8,860,318
$9,126,128
30 Sep 2026
NYSaranac Lake / Lake PlacidAdirondack Regional AirportBoston
----New York-JFK
Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirTecnam P2012 Traveller / 9$2,557,622
$2,634,351
$2,713,381
$2,794,783
28 Feb 2026
NYWatertownWatertown International AirportPhiladelphia American Airlines Group Embraer ERJ-145 / 50$7,298,97831 Jan 2026
ORPendletonEastern Oregon Regional AirportPortland Boutique AirPilatus PC-12 / 8 or 9$4,275,121
$4,488,877
31 May 2026
PABradfordBradford Regional AirportPittsburgh
----Washington-Dulles
Southern Airways ExpressCessna 208 Caravan / 9$2,888,123
$2,960,326
$3,034,334
$3,110,192
31 Oct 2026
PADuBoisDuBois Regional AirportPittsburgh
----Washington-Dulles
Southern Airways ExpressCessna 208 Caravan / 9$5,145,108
$5,273,736
31 Oct 2026
PAJohnstownJohnstown–Cambria County Airport Chicago-O'Hare
----Washington-Dulles
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,673,281
$5,843,480
$6,018,784
$6,199,384
31 Oct 2029
PALancasterLancaster AirportPittsburgh
----Washington-Dulles
Southern Airways ExpressCessna 208 Caravan / 9$2,880,168
$2,952,172
$3,025,976
$3,101,626
31 Dec 2025
PRMayagüezEugenio María de Hostos AirportSan Juan Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirCessna 402C - 8/9
Britten-Norman Islander - 8/9
Tecnam P2012 Traveller - 8/9
$1,693,289
$1,744,088
$1,796,411
$1,850,303
$1,905,812
30 Apr 2026
SDAberdeenAberdeen Regional AirportMinneapolis/Saint Paul SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$5,097,827
$5,352,718
$5,620,354
$5,901,372
28 Feb 2029
SDPierrePierre Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,481,736
$5,646,188
$5,815,573
$5,990,041
31 May 2029
SDWatertownWatertown Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare
----Denver
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$6,301,661
$6,490,711
$6,685,433
$6,885,996
31 May 2029
TNJacksonJackson Regional AirportAtlanta
----Chicago–O'Hare
Key Lime Air d.b.a. Denver Air ConnectionDornier 328JET / 30 or
Embraer ERJ-145 / 50
$7,954,117
$8,510,905
$9,106,668
$9,744,135
30 Nov 2028
TXVictoriaVictoria Regional AirportHouston-Intercontinental SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,956,029
$6,372,951
$6,819,058
28 Feb 2027
UTCedar CityCedar City Regional AirportSalt Lake City SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50$6,426,743
$6,876,615
$7,357,979
31 Dec 2027
VTRutlandRutland–Southern Vermont Regional AirportBoston Hyannis Air Service d.b.a. Cape AirCessna 402C / 9 or
Tecnam P2012 Traveller / 9
$3,369,473
$3,554,794
$3,750,308
$3,956,575
31 Oct 2027
VAStauntonShenandoah Valley Regional AirportCharlotte
----Chicago-O'Hare
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$6,020,730
$6,201,352
$6,387,392
$6,579,014
31 Oct 2029
WVClarksburg / FairmontNorth Central West Virginia AirportChicago-O'Hare
----Washington-Dulles
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$4,590,084
$4,727,787
$4,869,621
$5,015,709
30 Nov 2029
WVLewisburgGreenbrier Valley AirportCharlotte
----Chicago-O'Hare
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$6,042,750
$6,224,032
$6,410,753
$6,603,076
31 Oct 2029
WVMorgantownMorgantown Municipal AirportChicago-O'Hare
----Washington-Dulles
SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,992,164
$6,411,615
$6,860,428
31 Oct 2027
WIEau ClaireChippewa Valley Regional AirportChicago-O'Hare SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,906,038
$6,319,461
$6,761,823
30 Nov 2027
WIRhinelanderRhinelander–Oneida County AirportMinneapolis/Saint Paul SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ550 / 50 or
Bombardier CRJ700 / 65/69 or
Bombardier CRJ900 / 76
$6,324,046
$6,766,729
31 Jan 2026
WYCodyYellowstone Regional AirportDenver - SeasonalSkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$3,461,368
$3,703,664
$3,962,920
31 May 2027
WYLaramieLaramie Regional AirportDenver SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 / 50$5,052,740
$5,406,432
$5,784,882
30 Sep 2027