The FAA has been faced with a partial shutdown, and with the Senate taking their August recess, it does not appear the problem will be solved anytime soon.
However- It could have been fixed with a vote in the senate to approve the House's version of the bill. However, one of the major sticking points was the fact that the bill cut $165 million from the EAS program.
This was not the only opposition to the bill by the democrats, but this bill hands the congress $165 million in spending cuts right after the showdown over the debt ceiling and the pledge to cut spending. While the EAS cuts are a drop in the bucket, they are a start.
Pueblo, Interestingly, is not cut with this bill. Let's take a moment to look at the Airport's service: 25 flights PUB-DEN a week, when the FAA only pays for twelve. Going above and beyond makes it look like the route is profitable- and doesn't need the subsidy.
Then, there is the gambling. People in Pueblo love to gamble.They flock to Cripple Creek for the weekend, and there have been charters for years. (As I write this there's one for today). Allegiant does regular charters to Wendover, NV as well as Bullhead City, NV. These charters must have done well enough that Allegiant started service to Las Vegas twice weekly. As a result, the Airport expects to double the number of passengers it served and has qualified for more federal funding (that won't be delivered because the Senate failed to pass the Reauthorization).
To me, it has become clear that Denver is not a useful route for Pueblo. I could see one or two airlines operating to bigger midwest hubs from pueblo, a seasonal route to Cancun or a Mexican LCC operating a small aircraft to Pueblo for the VFR market. (The last two require customs at Pueblo, which more than likely won't happen unless an airline asks for it). However, if someone can't find what they're looking for at Pueblo, whether in terms of price or schedule or route, they do what thousands of Puebloans do every day: Drive to COS or DEN.
Finally, I'd like to post a link from Aunt Benet (actually a guest post) about the EAS Program and some possible reforms. Here's the link: GUEST POST: Fixing The Essential Air Service Program- Aviation Queen
Happy Spotting!
Steve
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