Description
The Small Community Air Service Development Program provides financial assistance to small communities to help them enhance their air service. The program is designed to improve air service to underserved communities, including connectivity to the national air transportation system. Eligible applicants include public entities, such as cities, counties, and airports. The program provides grants to communities to subsidize air service to and from underserved airports, to obtain air service to and from underserved airports, and to implement measures to improve air service. The grants are disbursed on a reimbursable basis, and the Department may make up to $12 million available for FY 2024 grant awards. Some examples of eligible projects include economic air service studies, marketing of air service or an airport, air carrier recruitment, revenue guarantees to air carriers providing air service, start-up cost offsets, fee waivers, and reimbursement of air carrier ground handling fees.
• The program is authorized to receive appropriations under 49 U.S.C. § 41743(e)(2).
• The Department determines application eligibility as part of the Eligibility Review stage.
• Only public entities may apply for and serve as the legal sponsor of a grant under the Small Community Program.
• The Department may award grants to communities to subsidize air service to and from an underserved airport, to an underserved airport, or an airport where air service has been terminated or substantially reduced.
• The program has eligibility limitations, including a hub-size requirement and a same-project limitation.