WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both R-Wyo., recently introduced legislation aimed to ensure small, rural airports, including Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, can still receive funding without having to meet all of the requirements the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires and which have been harder to reach since COVID-19 era disruptions.

Many small, rural airports across the country have been forced to reduce air service and have not been able to meet federal mandates to continue receiving grants from the FAA. These airports use these federal funds for important safety enhancements, efficiency improvements, facility upgrades, and equipment and air service infrastructure projects.

According to a press release from the senators, this legislation would create a temporary exemption for small airports that previously qualified for funding but have now lost eligibility due to the lingering effects of COVID-19 lockdowns, pilot shortages, and regional airline closures. It would save these small airports from losing thousands of dollars that help improve air service in many rural communities.

“Rural airports across Wyoming are critical for many residents needing to travel across the state and around the country. They’re also vital to our state’s economy since they make Wyoming’s iconic tourist attractions more accessible to visitors from around the world,” Barrasso said. “This bill will ensure rural airports across Wyoming — from Evanston to Gillette and Cheyenne to Cody — continue to receive the resources they need to improve air service.”

“During the past few years, rural airports throughout Wyoming have struggled due to the pandemic and a lack of pilots. Without access to Airport Improvement Program grants, rural air service would suffer even more,” Lummis said. “This commonsense legislation will allow for Wyoming airports to flourish and for our economy to benefit from additional visitors to our state.”