THE Commonwealth Ports Authority is hoping that U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan will help the CNMI become eligible again for the Essential Air Service program.
The program provides subsidies “to certificated airlines servicing remote communities to ensure a minimal level of scheduled air service.”
According to Kilili, the CNMI received EAS subsidies in the 1980s, but CPA and the airlines allowed the subsidies to lapse. Therefore, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan airports are no longer eligible for this program, Kilili told CPA.
The U.S. Department of Transportation stated that the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 changed the definition of “eligible place” for the purpose of receiving EAS. But the law exempts locations in Alaska and Hawaii and communities that are more than 175 driving miles from the nearest large- or medium-hub airport.
In her letter to Kilili dated Dec. 15, 2021, CPA Board Chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds said the exemptions should have included other communities, and not just those in Alaska and Hawaii.
“It should have also exempted other similarly situated non-contiguous communities, such as those found within the CNMI,” she said.
If the provision of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act is the only barrier to the CNMI’s designation as EAS-eligible, King-Hinds suggested to Kilili to consider contacting members of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and its Subcommittee on Aviation to see if eligibility requirements can be further amended to allow the CNMI’s participation.
Kilili earlier said the CNMI should explore other federal programs, such as the Small Community Air Service Development Program, to improve air service on Rota and Tinian.
King-Hinds said CPA heeded his advice and is now in the process of preparing its grant application which the ports authority will share with him once completed. “We look forward to incorporating your valuable input,” King-Hinds said.
“Thank you for your assistance, and we look forward to working with your office to achieve our shared goal of increasing the frequency and lowering the cost of air service within the CNMI,” King-Hinds added.
