The Essential Air Service Program supports flights to and from airports in Bemidji, Brainerd, Chisholm/Hibbing, International Falls, and Thief River Falls; The Contract Tower Program allows air traffic control services to be contracted to the private sector at visual flight rule airports, such as Anoka County Airport and St. Cloud Regional Airport

In a letter to Secretary Chao, the lawmakers stressed the importance of these programs in maintaining Minnesota’s robust commercial, business, and general aviation sectors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and Representatives Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, Tim Walz, Keith Ellison, and Rick Nolan, have urged Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to advocate for adequate funding for critical aviation programs in Minnesota in the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The Essential Air Service Program supports flights to and from airports in Bemidji, Brainerd, Chisholm/Hibbing, International Falls, and Thief River Falls. The cost effective Contract Tower Program allows air traffic services to be contracted to the private sector at visual flight rule airports, such as Anoka County Airport and St. Cloud Regional Airport. In a letter to Secretary Chao, the lawmakers stressed the importance of these programs in maintaining Minnesota’s robust commercial, business, and aviation sectors.

“We write to bring your attention to two programs that are critical to aviation in Minnesota: the Essential Air Service Program and the Contract Tower Program. We urge you to advocate for adequate funding for both programs as you finalize the Administration’s full fiscal year 2018 budget proposal,” the lawmakers wrote. “Minnesota has a vibrant aviation sector that is a key economic engine in our state. We are home to more than 135 public airports ranging from a 3,500 foot grass strip at Backus Municipal Airport to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP), the 16th busiest airfield in the country. All of these airports and the nearly 12,000 licensed pilots in Minnesota are key to the continued health of the aviation sector. According to a study by the Federal Aviation Administration, in 2012 civil aviation contributed more than $16.5 billion to Minnesota’s economy and supported 146,000 jobs. Healthy hub, regional, and general aviation airports are important to maintaining Minnesota’s robust commercial, business, and general aviation sectors.”

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Secretary Chao:

We write to bring your attention to two programs that are critical to aviation in Minnesota: the Essential Air Service Program and the Contract Tower Program. We urge you to advocate for adequate funding for both programs as you finalize the Administration’s full fiscal year 2018 budget proposal.

Minnesota has a vibrant aviation sector that is a key economic engine in our state. We are home to more than 135 public airports ranging from a 3,500 foot grass strip at Backus Municipal Airport to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP), the 16th busiest airfield in the country. All of these airports and the nearly 12,000 licensed pilots in Minnesota are key to the continued health of the aviation sector. According to a study by the Federal Aviation Administration, in 2012 civil aviation contributed more than $16.5 billion to Minnesota’s economy and supported 146,000 jobs. Healthy hub, regional, and general aviation airports are important to maintaining Minnesota’s robust commercial, business, and general aviation sectors.

The Essential Air Service Program helps rural communities maintain a minimum level of commercial air service. In Minnesota, the program supports flights to and from the airports in Bemidji, Brainerd, Chisholm/Hibbing, International Falls, and Thief River Falls. Maintaining regular commercial flights to and from MSP is vital to the economic competitiveness of the regions served by these airports. Many employers rely on these flights to give their employees easy connections to customers and vendors located throughout the country. Essential Air Service flights also strengthen MSP as a large hub airport resulting in more choices for passengers departing from the Twin Cities. The Administration’s initial fiscal year 2018 budget proposal released on March 16 eliminated funding for the Essential Air Service Program.

The Contract Tower Program allows air traffic control services to be contracted to the private sector at visual flight rule airports. Both Anoka County Airport and St. Cloud Regional Airport currently operate towers under the program. The program is cost efficient and provides air traffic control services that are essential for air transport, agriculture, and public safety. Losing air traffic control services at either of these towers would significantly harm aviation in Minnesota.

Thank you for your attention to our views. We look forward to continuing to work with you to maintain a strong aviation sector in Minnesota and across the country.

Sincerely,