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The Trump administration has stated that funds from a US government program that supports commercial air service to rural airports are set to expire as soon as Sunday due to the current federal funding lapse.

The US transportation department stated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service program are expected to expire as soon as Sunday after the agency transferred separate financial resources from the FAA as an temporary measure.

The department is currently notifying airline operators about the funding shortfall and alerting communities about potential effects.

The government allocates approximately $350m in yearly financial support for the program.

In recent months, the White House suggested reducing funding by $308m for the air service program, which has support among Republican lawmakers because it offers connectivity to rural, largely Republican areas.

During the initial term of the former president, the administration proposed eliminating the Essential Air Service initiative – 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 aircraft. According to the department that under the program, approximately 65 communities in the northern state receive service and 112 communities across the other 49 states and Puerto Rico that likely wouldn't have any commercial air connectivity.

“Every state across the country will feel the effects,” the transportation secretary commented during a media briefing, noting the service had bipartisan support. “We don't have the money for that program moving forward.”