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LaFave backs Essential Air Services

LANSING — The Michigan House of Representatives has adopted a resolution introduced by state Rep. Beau LaFave of Iron Mountain that would urge the president and Congress to continue fully funding the Essential Air Services program.

The Essential Air Services program provides smaller communities around the country with commercial airline services. President Trump has recommended cuts to the program’s budget, which would affect regional airports across the state, including five in the Upper Peninsula.

LaFave calls the program essential for the region’s economy.

“Failing to fund Essential Air Services in these communities would increase ticket prices immediately,” LaFave said. “The flights funded by this program help keep our state and its residents connected, and cuts would negatively impact jobs and tourism.”

The Airline Deregulation Act, passed by the federal government in 1978, gave airlines freedom to select which markets to serve.

Congress created the Essential Air Services Program as a response to ensure that smaller communities would not lose commercial airline services.

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