Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

Letter

Today, Unites States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) wrote to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in opposition to an amendment filled by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to repeal the Essential Air Service (ESA) program in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill. A repeal of the ESA program would eliminate federal funding for air service to Greenville, Hattiesburg-Laurel, and Meridian.

"A reduction or elimination of funding will have grave effects on the local airports and the communities they serve", Thompson wrote." In 2010, 7,100 commercial passengers flew from Mid-Delta Regional Airport. Without Mid-Delta Regional, these passengers would face an onerous three hour drive to either Memphis, Tennessee or Jackson, Mississippi. EAS facilities also serve as major economic engines for their communities. Not only do these airports ensure access to other economic centers of the country, but they also employ dozens of workers. These are good paying, quality jobs in communities that have faced tough times during this economic downturn."

The ESA is a Department of Transportation program that subsidizes air carrier service to small and, in some cases, isolated communities. The EAS program provides subsidies to air carriers for providing service between selected small communities and hub airports. The program was originally established in 1978 as part of airline deregulation to ensure a minimum level of air service to smaller communities that might otherwise lose service because of economic factors.

"While I certainly understand the need to reign in government spending, I must adamantly object to doing so at the expense of our country's rural communities. We should take a more comprehensive approach to dealing with the fiscal obligations associated with our nation's air transportation needs. I humbly ask that you do all that you can to defeat this amendment and protect rural America," Thompson wrote.

A text of the full letter is shown below:

Dear Senator Reid,

I write with strong opposition to any attempt to repeal the Essential Air Service Program (EAS) in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill. Last week, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) filed an amendment to eliminate this program which currently improves air transportation service in nearly 150 communities across the United States. Based on my discussions with local officials, a repeal of the EAS program would deal a fatal blow to many small airports.

Created after the airline deregulation of 1978, the EAS was designed to be administered by the Department of Transportation. The program ensures that small, almost rural communities have access to our air transit system. Mississippi has three EAS facilities in Greenville-- which I represent-- Hattiesburg, Laurel, and Meridian.

A reduction or elimination of funding will have grave effects on the local airports and the communities that they serve. In 2010, 7100 commercial passengers flew from the Mid-Delta Regional Airport. Without Mid-Delta Regional, these passengers would face an onerous three hour drive to either Memphis, Tennessee or Jackson, Mississippi. EAS facilities also serve as major economic engines for their communities. Not only do these airports ensure access to other economic centers in the country, but they also employ dozens of workers. These are good paying, quality jobs in communities that have faced tough times during this economic downturn.

While I certainly understand the need to reign in government spending, I must adamantly object doing so at the expense of our country's rural communities. We should take a more comprehensive approach to dealing with the country's fiscal obligations associated with our nation's air transportation needs. I humbly ask that you do all that you can do to defeat this amendment and protect rural America. I thank you for your leadership and look forward to working with you during the 112th Congress.

Sincerely,

Bennie G. Thompson

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