Controversial FAA program serves just 153 communities at a cost of $200 million

By Corbin Hiar

Controversial air service subsidy lives on despite years of criticism

Excerpts from this story referencing "Essential Air Service":

"… t auditors.Created in 1978 as a part of the Airline Deregulation Act , the Essential Air Service subsidy was designed as a 10-year initiative to help rural airports likely …"

"… mping a large and unfocused majority – most folks don’t know about the Essential Air Service,” said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the conservative American Actio …"

"… ed that the Obama administration’s budget “reflect the priority of the Essential Air Service program to rural America, and the vital nature of the program in connectin …"

"… ed this week to enact a new extension — one that includes more money for Essential Air Service.Transportation experts say the battle may yet be repeated, because there …"

The weekly watchdog: Sept. 19 - Sept. 23

By Bill Buzenberg

In case you missed them, catch up on this week's top investigations from iWatch News

Excerpts from this story referencing "Essential Air Service":

"… hat once a program is created in Washington, it’s very hard to kill. The Essential Air Service subsidy was designed in 1978 as a 10-year initiative to help rural airport …"