The Essential Air Service (EAS) program was created following deregulation to guarantee a minimum level of air service to communities that otherwise would not have commercial air service. Currently, three towns in Wyoming receive federal subsidy under the EAS program; Laramie, Rock Springs, and Worland. Additionally, in 2000, Congress created the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program (SCASDPP) as a way to provide grants to 40 communities nationwide to help them address local air service problems; such as infrequent service and/or high airfares. In 2002, Casper and Gillette received $500,000 in federal funding which was matched with state and local dollars to create new air service to Billings, Montana on Big Sky Airlines. Even though President Bush's FY 2004 budget calls for a drastic reduction in EAS funding and the elimination of the SCASDPP, I plan to support full funding for both programs.

In August 2002, I hosted an air service forum which brought together an array of consumers, business leaders, elected officials and airline representatives interested in identifying ways to strengthen Wyoming's air service. The report details the topics covered, as well as the steps that can be taken at the local, state and federal levels to improve Wyoming's air service.