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The Trump administration has announced that financial support from a federal initiative that subsidizes airline routes to rural airports are scheduled to end as early as this weekend due to the ongoing government shutdown.

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

The department is currently notifying airline operators about the financial gap and informing communities about possible impacts.

Federal authorities provides approximately $350 million in yearly financial support for the program.

Earlier this year, the administration proposed cutting funding by $308m for the Essential Air Service, which enjoys popularity among Republican lawmakers because it offers connectivity to predominantly Republican rural regions.

Throughout the first presidency of Donald Trump, the administration suggested terminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers chose to boost funding instead.

This initiative typically subsidizes two return flights daily using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or additional frequencies with smaller aircraft. Officials report that under the program, approximately 65 areas in Alaska have air access and 112 locations across the remaining states and Puerto Rico that likely wouldn't have any airline service.

“All states nationwide will feel the effects,” the transportation secretary stated during a media briefing, observing the service had support from both parties. “We lack the money for that initiative going forward.”