Tester Secures Senate Passage Of Key Priorities For Montana's Rural Airports

U.S. Senator Jon Tester has included his priorities for increasing affordable air service in Montana in legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that passed the Senate May 9.

“Reliable and affordable air service is essential for Montanans to run their businesses, see their friends and families, and stay connected with the rest of the country, but too often rural airports fall through the cracks,” said Tester. “That’s why I was proud to see my Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act clear the Senate to ensure Montana airports have more flights that cost less – and I’ll keep working to ensure folks in rural America is have a seat at the table.”

Tester advanced several big wins for Montana through the Senate in the must-pass FAA reauthorization bill, including his Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act that will help small airports compete for grants to attract new air carrier service to their communities. The Senator’s Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act increases available funding for the Small Community Air Service Development Program and ensures airports who have experienced a significant reduction in air service are prioritized for selection.

Tester worked to reauthorize the Essential Air Service program (EAS) to ensure Montana’s rural communities continue to have airline service options connecting them to larger hubs. Currently the Essential Air Service provides service to five eastern Montana communities: Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Sidney, and Wolf Point. The Essential Air Service is also responsible for commercial flights in Butte and West Yellowstone.

Tester also fought to strip a provision from the final FAA bill that would have required Montana communities to fund five percent of EAS contract costs annually. This requirement would have been detrimental to Montana, costing communities hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and likely leading to airlines services leaving areas that could not bear the weight of that cost.

Finally, Senator Tester worked to ensure that Montana’s fastest growing airports will be able to keep up with growing demand by providing resources for proper staffing and necessary infrastructure.