Duffy warns of flight cancellations if airline subsides lapse during shutdown

Published October 6, 2025 3:23pm ET



Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that rural and small communities will see cuts to the federal subsidies supporting their airline services as soon as Sunday if the government shutdown continues.

The Transportation Department gives subsidies to airlines through the Essential Air Service program to guarantee they provide commercial service to smaller communities throughout the United States. Duffy said the money that funds these subsidies runs out on Sunday.

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