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Federal officials has stated that financial support from a US government program that subsidizes commercial air service to remote airfields are set to expire as soon as Sunday because of the current federal funding lapse.

The US transportation department stated that subsidies under the Essential Air Service initiative are likely to end as soon as Sunday after the department moved unrelated funding from the Federal Aviation Administration as an temporary measure.

The department is in the process of alerting carriers about the funding shortfall and alerting communities about potential effects.

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

In recent months, the administration suggested reducing financial support by $308 million for the air service program, which has support among GOP legislators because it offers connectivity to rural, largely Republican areas.

Throughout the initial term of Donald Trump, the administration proposed eliminating the Essential Air Service program – but lawmakers opted to increase financial support instead.

The program typically supports two round trips 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 the northern state receive service and 112 locations across the other 49 states and the territory that otherwise might not receive any commercial air connectivity.

“Every state nationwide 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.”