US awards $11.35 million in route subsidies to fourteen airports
A federal programme has granted $11.35 million in subsidies to fourteen US airports aiming to launch or revive air service, with Tallahassee receiving the largest award of $1.5 million. Grants require matching local funds and are intended to help routes prove viable within roughly a year.
Fourteen US airports will share $11.35 million in subsidies for new or restored air service under the 2026 Small Community Air Service Development Program. The grants, announced Thursday, are meant to help routes become self-sustaining after an initial period, usually about a year.
Tallahassee, Florida, received the largest award, $1.5 million, to help United Airlines start flights to Houston. That route last operated in 2021. Mosinee, Wisconsin, got $950,000 to bring back Delta service to Detroit, which ended in 2022.
Jackson, Mississippi, will receive $1 million for nonstop flights to Chicago on either American Airlines or United Airlines. The route was cut during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Latrobe, Pennsylvania, which Spirit Airlines previously served, was awarded $850,000. An unnamed carrier, likely Breeze or Avelo, is expected to begin flights to Myrtle Beach and Florida. Traverse City, Michigan, received funding for the longest route among the group.
All grants require matching contributions from local communities, so the federal government typically covers most of the cost while the localities bear some financial risk.
Sources
- paxex.aeroFourteen Airports Score DoT Subsidies for Route Support