The recent announcement by American Airlines that it was going to suspend regional air service to 15 small airports, including Stillwater Regional Airport, has Congressman Frank Lucas calling for action. The airline says the upcoming expiration of the Payroll Support Program (PSP) is the main reason its reducing service. PSP is part of the CARES Act.
Lucas has joined a bipartisan letter to House and Senate Leadership urging them to allow a “clean version” of the PSP program to pass through Congress quickly to save regional air services.
“The Payroll Support Program (PSP), authorized by the CARES Act, has proven to be an extremely successful program by providing payroll support directly to almost one million aviation workers and preventing airlines from conducting layoffs and service suspensions through September 30, 2020,” the letter reads. “As we approach PSP’s expiration on September 30, airlines have started to make tough decisions. If Congress does not act soon, airlines could be forced to continue to suspend or permanently end service to cities across the nation.”
Lucas, along with U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford, have called on the American Airlines leadership to reconsider service suspension because of the number of jobs American Airlines supports at Stillwater Regional Airport.
American Airlines is the third largest private employer in Oklahoma between airport services and the Tulsa Tech Operations Facility.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made a long-lasting, negative impact on our nation’s aviation industry. As emergency federal aid expires at the end of the month for our aviation industry, it’s critical Congress and airlines recognize the significant impact these regional routes have in our communities, including providing employment opportunities, promoting tourism, and supporting the local economy. As a proud supporter of our local economies, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure Congress and our nation’s airlines find long-term solutions to ensure the sustainability of Oklahoma’s regional airports.”
