Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Nick Begich (R-AK) introduced the Essential Air Service (EAS) Reliability Act, which would require EAS carriers to have a plan to accommodate passengers in the event of unexpected cancellations.
The EAS program helps air carriers maintain scheduled service to over 100 small regional airports across the country, ensuring residents in rural and remote communities stay connected to the national air transportation system. This bill would require EAS carriers to include contingency plans for maintenance or other non-weather-related service disruptions as part of the competitive application process for EAS contracts.
“Reliable air service is more than just convenience, it’s an essential lifeline. People in Hawai’i depend on inter-island transportation to access healthcare, get to work, and connect with loved ones. Our communities need consistent air service, and we can’t afford to let essential services be jeopardized by poor planning or unreliable operations,” said Rep. Tokuda. “This bill is an important step to ensure EAS carriers do their part to deliver more reliable service without compromising safety. It’s not just about holding them accountable when things go wrong – it’s about making sure they have solid backup plans to avoid such problems in the first place. Our people shouldn’t have to worry about getting stranded.”
“Alaska has a vast interconnected aviation system and air travel remains a critical component of daily life for many across our state. Our expansive aviation network connects 65 rural communities through the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, ensuring access to vital services. As we advance into the 21st century, it's imperative to enhance both the safety and reliability of our aviation sector,” said Congressman Begich. “This legislation takes an important step towards addressing reliability by mandating that EAS carriers include comprehensive contingency plans for maintenance and other non-weather-related disruptions in their contract applications. I'm proud to collaborate with Rep. Tokuda on this initiative, helping ensure that our rural communities continue to receive dependable and secure air services.”
In Hawai’i, Mokulele Airlines currently services all four EAS routes, which include flights to Kaulapapa, Lāna‘i, Hāna and Kamuela. Earlier this year, Mokulele, grounded their entire fleet without warning, leaving these communities with no alternative means of transportation to critical healthcare, employment, and government services on other islands. This was the second time in less than a year that EAS flights were unexpectedly cancelled for a prolonged period in the state.
Rep. Tokuda has actively engaged with airline stakeholders and federal agencies to address the reliability of EAS service in Hawai‘i and prevent future outages. At her request, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued reporting requirements as part of Mokulele’s renewed EAS contracts for service to Lāna‘i and Kaulapapa to increase accountability and ensure more consistent and dependable routes.
Cosponsors of the Essential Air Service Reliability Act include: Reps. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI), Hillary Scholten (D-MI).
Text of the bill can be found here.
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