WASHINGTON D.C. -- Minnesota’s Congressional delegation have teamed up in requesting support for state airport programs from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.

U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken as well as Reps. Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, Tim Walz, Keith Ellison and Rick Nolan, by way of a letter, have urged Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to advocate for adequate funding to critical aviation programs in Minnesota in the Administration’s fiscal year 2018 budget.

According to a press release from the delegation, the programs the Essential Air Service Program and the Contract Tower Program. The first program supports flights to and from airports in Bemidji, Brainerd, Chisolm/Hibbing, International Falls and Thief River Falls.

The Contract Tower Program, meanwhile, allows air traffic services to be contracted to the private sector at select airports, such as the Anoka County Airport and St. Cloud Regional Airport.

“Minnesota has a vibrant aviation sector that is a key economic engine in our state. We are home to more than 135 public airports,” the letter read. “Healthy hub, regional and general aviation airports are important to maintaining Minnesota’s robust commercial, business and general aviation sectors.”