"This funding is terrific news for the greater Bangor area, as it will help ensure more frequent, lower-cost flights to BIA," said the Senators and Congressman in a joint statement. "Providing adequate air service in our smaller communities remains one of our highest priorities."
The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) that Congress passed in 2000 authorized funding for the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program. Forty communities throughout the U.S. can participate in the program at any one time. The funds can be used to provide subsidies for air service to and from an underserved airport; provide assistance to obtain service, such as ground service to and from the underserved airport; or to implement other measures to improve air service in terms of reducing its cost to consumers or increasing its availability.