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Federal officials has stated that funds from a federal initiative that subsidizes airline routes to remote airfields are scheduled to end as early as this weekend because of the current federal funding lapse.

The US transportation department indicated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service program are likely to end as soon as Sunday after the department moved separate financial resources from the Federal Aviation Administration as an temporary measure.

The department is in the process of alerting carriers about the financial gap and informing local areas about possible impacts.

Federal authorities provides approximately $350m in annual funding for the program.

Earlier this year, the administration suggested reducing financial support by $308m for the Essential Air Service, which enjoys popularity among GOP legislators because it provides services to rural, largely Republican areas.

During the first presidency of Donald Trump, the administration proposed eliminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers opted to increase funding instead.

This initiative typically subsidizes two return flights daily using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or more frequent flights with smaller planes. According to the department that under the program, approximately 65 areas in the northern state have air access and 112 locations across the other 49 states and Puerto Rico that otherwise might not receive any commercial air connectivity.

“All states across the country will feel the effects,” the transportation chief commented during a media briefing, noting the service had bipartisan support. “We don't have the funding for that initiative going forward.”