“Every year it seems we have to fight to preserve Essential Air Service for rural states like Montana.  This year we fought off a scheme requiring local communities to help pay for their airline service. We prevailed; Montana won again,” Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee said.

            “EAS is truly an essential program for our rural communities, so I really appreciate what Denny’s done. He understands how important EAS is to rural passengers across our state, and he’s always happy to stand up for us,” said John Rabenberg, who chairs the Montana Essential Air Service Task Force.

            Montana has eight EAS points, seven of which – Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney, and Wolf Point – are served by Big Sky airlines, with its code-sharing agreements and a connecting hub in Billings.  Sky West airlines provides seasonal service to Montana’s eighth EAS point, West Yellowstone.

            “As long as I’m Montana’s Congressman I going to work to protect our essential air service.  It's been an annual fight, both in the House Transportation Committee and now the Appropriations Committee, but we've managed to win those battles each year,” Rehberg said. “Montanans have a right to expect our federal government to pay for certain essential services, such as highways, passenger rail service, and, in this case, air service to rural communities.”