PRESCOTT, AZ (AZFamily) — Rural airports across Arizona are bracing for the possibility of losing their commercial airline flights as a federal program that helps fund service to smaller communities remains on hold during the government shutdown.

The Essential Air Service program , which provides financial incentives for commercial airlines to operate in rural airports, is on track to run out of money, creating uncertainty for airports in Prescott, Page and Show Low.

“These airports are critical. We have a huge rural community in Arizona,” said Shannon Roberts, who lives in northern Arizona and relies on Prescott Regional Airport at least once a month to travel across the country. “Driving back and forth to Phoenix is a huge ask for me.”

The EAS program allows passengers to fly from

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