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The Trump administration has stated that funds from a federal initiative that subsidizes airline routes to remote airfields are scheduled to end as soon as Sunday due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The US transportation department stated that subsidies under the Essential Air Service initiative are likely to end as early as this weekend after the agency moved separate financial resources from the FAA as an advance.

Transportation officials is currently notifying airline operators about the financial gap and informing communities about possible impacts.

The government provides approximately $350 million in annual funding for the program.

Earlier this year, the White House suggested reducing funding by $308 million for the Essential Air Service, which enjoys popularity among GOP legislators because it provides services to predominantly Republican rural regions.

Throughout the initial term of Donald Trump, the White House proposed eliminating the Essential Air Service initiative – but Congress chose to boost financial support instead.

This initiative typically supports two return flights each day using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or more frequent flights with smaller aircraft. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 areas in Alaska receive service and 112 locations across the other 49 states and Puerto Rico that likely wouldn't have any commercial air connectivity.

“All states across the country will be impacted,” the transportation secretary commented during a media briefing, observing the program had support from both parties. “We lack the money for that program moving forward.”