Marianas Air Service Improvement Act

This bill would make it easier for communities in the Northern Mariana Islands to qualify for the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which helps pay for airline service to small or remote places. It does this by adding the Northern Mariana Islands to the same exception that Alaska and Hawaii already have, so some of the usual EAS eligibility rules would no longer apply there.

In simple terms, the goal is to help keep regular, dependable flights to and from the Northern Mariana Islands, which can support travel for medical care, jobs, school, tourism, and supplies.

Key points

• Who is affected: Residents and travelers in the Northern Mariana Islands; local businesses and visitors who rely on air travel.
• What changes: Some standard rules for joining the EAS program would not apply in the Northern Mariana Islands, similar to Alaska and Hawaii, making it easier to maintain air service.
• When: The change would take effect once the bill becomes law, by updating the federal air service statute.