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The Trump administration has announced that funds from a US government program that supports commercial air service to rural airports are scheduled to end as soon as Sunday because of the ongoing government shutdown.

The US transportation department indicated that subsidies under the Essential Air Service initiative are likely to end as soon as Sunday after the department moved separate financial resources from the FAA as an temporary measure.

Transportation officials is in the process of alerting carriers about the financial gap and alerting communities about potential effects.

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

Earlier this year, the White House suggested reducing funding by $308 million for the Essential Air Service, which has support among GOP legislators because it offers connectivity to rural, largely Republican areas.

Throughout the initial term of Donald Trump, the White House suggested terminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers opted to increase financial support instead.

This initiative typically subsidizes two round trips daily using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or more frequent flights with smaller aircraft. According to the department that under the program, approximately 65 areas in the northern state have air access and 112 locations across the other 49 states and the territory that likely wouldn't have any commercial air connectivity.

“All states nationwide will feel the effects,” the transportation chief commented during a press conference, noting the service had support from both parties. “We don't have the money for that initiative going forward.”