H.R. 2553 - Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV House Proposed bill H.R. 2553 removes the Essential Air Service "sunset language", that was proposed in H.R. 658, which had the EAS Program phasing out in 2013 (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). H.R. 2553 proposes that FAA funding be extended to September 16, 2011. The bill includes a Senate-passed provision to limit Essential Air Service eligibility to communities that are located 90 or more miles from a large or medium hub airport. Ten communities would be removed from the EAS list under the provision, resulting in anticipated $12.5 million in annual savings. The bill also would limit rural per-passenger subsidies that could save an additional $4 million.
Latest Actions:
July 20, 2011: The House approved the legislation in a 243-177 vote. House passage sent the bill to the Senate.
August 5, 2011: Senate passes the bill by unanimous consent and President Obama signs it into law.