Essential Air Service is a U.S. DOT program serving 65 rural communities in Alaska, and over 100 communities in the Lower 48, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Alaska Airlines receives government funding to keep prices competitive and schedules appropriate for the communities they serve.

If Essential Air Service is cut, rural communities will be harmed:

• Commercial air travel could be reduced and costs for tickets or freight will rise significantly

• U.S. Mail delivery will be less reliable.

• Cost of air travel for students to travel for activities will be higher.

• Shipping of perishable items will be more expensive, both inbound and outbound items like Alaska Seafood.

• Lifesaving supplies like medications for rural hospitals may not arrive quickly enough to provide timely treatment.

• Patients and their families needing to travel for medical care will have fewer options and higher expenses.

• Family trips will become significantly more complicated and expensive.

Big cuts are being made despite impacts on health, safety, economic, or quality of life to those who depend on these programs. Budgets are being developed now, with cuts to many essential programs. If passed there will be no way to reinstate programs until the next budget session. The time to make your voice heard is now. Tell your elected officials, local, Juneau and D.C. how important this program is.

You never know how important something is until you lose it. We cannot afford to find out how essential the Essential Air Service program is to Alaskans.

Elizabeth Bacom

Petersburg