Essential Air Service (EAS)

A renewed focus on government cost-cutting raises questions on what may be ahead for Essential Air Service, which was in the crosshairs in Trump's first term.

The airport is in one of Maine’s four Essential Air Service communities and is at the center of an unfolding drama involving JetBlue, United and the U.S. DOT.

JetBlue Airways has been selected to provide a subsidized Essential Air Service to Presque Isle, Maine, in what will be a first for the carrier.

The routes will feed traffic into the hubs of American Airlines, which Contour interlines with.

ALPA says the US government should not allow SkyWest to scrap essential air services.

An order has been issued by the US Transportation Department that prevents regional carrier SkyWest from ending routes to 29 small communities until a replacement carrier has been found.

American abandoned Joplin Regional Airport in 2019; SkyWest will operate under the United Express brand.