Keeping Our Commitment to Essential Air Service Act of 2017

The intent of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–504; 92 Stat. 1705) was to benefit consumers by expanding competition and allowing United States air carriers greater ability to decide which destinations to serve and set pricing on airfares.

Congress recognized that the intended benefits of deregulation may not reach all small communities, so the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 also authorized the essential air service program so that small communities would not lose air service or consumer choice if air carriers chose to serve the larger and more profitable markets.

According to the Department of Transportation, more than 170 communities in 35 States were served by the essential air service program in fiscal year 2016.

Without the essential air service program, air service would be cost prohibitive in many smaller communities, especially in Alaska and Hawaii where air travel is often the only mode of transportation.

The essential air service program provides small communities greater consumer choice and a lifeline to essential goods and services such as medical care, increases economic opportunity, and attracts visitors and new businesses.