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Nebraskans understand that rural air service is a very important issue in a sparsely populated state like Nebraska. I got that message across to fellow members of the Aviation Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee last week as we considered the FAA re-authorization bill.
It was an eye opener to senators from large urban areas when I told them that our largest airport in Nebraska has only 20 gates and most of our airport runways are surrounded by cornfields.
According to the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, we have 83 public use airports in the state. Of those, only Omaha and Lincoln have scheduled, air-carrier jet service.
That leaves 81 communities that must rely on general aviation support or subsidies through the federal Essential Air Service Program (EAS).
Charter operations are concentrated in the east, so general aviation support is very limited in communities in central and western Nebraska.
Our seven communities that receive Essential Air Service subsidies are critical for the people living in rural Nebraska to have access to the nation’s aviation system.
In anticipation of this hearing, I contacted a number of communities that benefit from Essential Air Service and the Small Community Air Service Development Program so I could pass their thoughts onto my colleagues.
Officials from my hometown of McCook said, “Having access to commercial air service is crucial to the economic stability to communities like McCook and without this service it would make recruiting new businesses very difficult… economic development does not come by bus or train, it comes by air.”
A letter from leaders in Grand Island said, “… communities like Grand Island rely on air service to fly in and out business travelers from all parts of the world. Essential air service has provided that very bridge to the outside world in order for rural communities to grow and prosper.”
Scottsbluff officials said the programs “are vital for the survival of small communities across the United States. Small airports provide an important service to individuals living outside of big cities. Continued funding of the programs is the only way airlines could possibly continue to provide air service from smaller airports to the large, multi-airline airports.”
Alliance leaders praised the program because it “supports the economic vitality of the region….Continued development of air services is vital to the growth of our community.”
And, from the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, a letter that said air service in rural communities “represents their lifeline to government, industry, and…medical care.”
I told the committee members about a letter I received earlier this year from the City Manager of Chadron who explained they were negotiating to secure a call center operation that will ultimately employ 100 full time workers. One of the vital factors in the company’s decision to expand its operations in Chadron was the presence of commercial air service.
Air service is an economic development issue for rural America. Supporting rural air service means supporting economic growth.
This is why I have opposed the administration’s efforts each budget cycle to cut funding for these programs because it means cutting access and opportunity for rural areas which is why I will continue to fight for funding for EAS and the Small Community Air Service Development program.
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