BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WV News) — The U.S. Senate recently passed the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, which will assure the continuation of three programs vital to North Central West Virginia Airport.

The $105 billion package contains renewals for the Essential Air Service Program, the Small Community Air Service Development grant program and the Airport Improvement Program.

The Essential Air Service (EAS) Program helps small communities maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service by subsidizing the cost of flights.

The U.S. Department of Transportation currently subsidizes commuter and certificated air carriers to serve approximately 60 communities in Alaska and 115 communities in the lower 48 contiguous states that otherwise would not receive any scheduled air service.

The EAS program makes it possible for a facility like North Central West Virginia Airport to offer the number of flights it currently does, said Airport Director Rick Rock.

“Without the Essential Air Service program, rural communities like our own would not have daily service most likely,” he said. “The Essential Air Service Program is very critical in allowing that to happen. Especially as costs rise and with there being less pilots, the EAS program is very important to us.”

The Small Community Air Service Development grant program is designed to help smaller communities address air service and airfare issues.

“That is for communities to be able to get money for specific projects and to be able to go out and promote air service that is not marketed and advertised,” Rock said.

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) provides grant funding for airport planning and development.

North Central West Virginia Airport receives more than $1 million annually from AIP grants, Rock said.

“It’s a critical program,” he said. “Through the AIP program, that’s how we’ve been able to really build the airport to where it is today.”

U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., both voted in favor of the FAA reauthorization package.

“Both senators have been great supporters of aviation and aerospace in West Virginia,” Rock said. “They get how important it is for economic development, and it’s giving people an opportunity to get to West Virginia easier.”

Manchin said in a statement that he disagreed with some of the elements of the FAA reauthorization package, but ultimately supported it because of its importance to the state’s airports.

“West Virginia airports are our gateways to the rest of the world and a critical pillar of our tourism economy, and this funding is absolutely essential to maintaining their operations,” he said. “While I did not support everything in the bill, including the addition of new flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the perfect cannot be the enemy of good, and I’m pleased to see that bipartisan compromise is still possible.”

The FAA reauthorization package extends the programs through 2028, according to Capito.

“By passing this bill, the Senate has provided needed support for our airports and the vast workforce that performs their operations, which should bolster our aviation sector for the future,” she said.

The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act now goes to the U.S House of Representatives, where a vote is expected early next week.