Puerto Rico officials seek to include the island in the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program to activate air traffic at regional airports after the tragic passage of Hurricane Fiona, a proposal announced by the cameral spokesman for the New Progressive Party, Carlos Mendez.
Through a statement, Méndez explained that regional airports can be used for emergencies, as happened two weeks ago with the advancement of Fiona in category 1, for cargo and passengers, reported Efe.
“That is why we are requesting Congress to approve the EAS immediately, as a measure of assistance in the face of Fiona’s passage“, Méndez pointed out.
If the federal program is approved in Puerto Rico, the regional airports of Vieques, Ponce, Culebra and Mayagüez would be helped directly because the federal government would pay for available seats.
Small airlines operate from airports with international designations or major operations, such as the Mercedita airport in Ponce, José Aponte de la Torre , in Ceiba, and the Rafael Hernández, in Aguadilla, which would benefit if the program is approved, according to Méndez.
“We are confident that congressmen as will welcome this proposal that would create new jobs for our people, encourage the establishment of new small and medium-sized businesses, as well as generate economic activity for the municipalities through more air traffic,” said Méndez.
The EAS is a federal program that provides economic subsidies, as well as funds to guarantee flight operations at regional airports throughout the United States. and their jurisdictions, as would be the case of Puerto Rico if it is included.
With information from the Efe agency