RST to receive $850K to help improve air service

(ABC 6 News) – Rochester International Airport will receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve air service.

The U.S. DOT announced on Wednesday that it will award $16.9 million from the Small Community Air Service Development Program to help 25 communities in 20 states develop their own solutions to local air service needs.

Rochester International Airport will receive $850,000 in federal funding.

The Department received 48 applications from 30 states, requesting a total of more than $33 million.

“In so many of our nation’s smaller communities, local air service is crucial to residents’ lives and livelihoods,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We’re proud to award these grants to help strengthen local air service in 25 smaller communities and help Americans across the country get to where they need to go more efficiently and affordably.”

Since the inception of the program, DOT has issued more than 400 grants, helping communities develop projects tailored to their own air service needs.

Grants are used to provide financial incentives to carriers, conduct studies on the possibilities of expanded service, and carry out marketing programs to promote existing local service, as well as address other challenges small communities and their airports may experience.

The financial assistance helps communities establish first air services, restore lost service, and provides support to establish new routes to improve connectivity and allow people in the community to fly more easily and affordably.

To read more on the Small Community Air Service Development Program CLICK HERE.