_{Thumbnail image courtesy of Border Coast Regional Airport Authority}

The federal subsidy that allows Advanced Air to serve Del Norte and Curry counties will continue through Nov. 18.

If the federal government shutdown extends beyond Nov. 18, the U.S. Department of Transportation states it will “provide notice to air carriers and communities” in advance, according to a Wednesday notice.

“We’re at the mercy of the system at this point,” Border Coast Regional Airport Authority Director Sean Rosenthal told Redwood Voice Community News. “It’s kind of like starting all over again from the last notice.”

On Oct. 8, Rosenthal received a U.S. DOT notice stating that funding would run out for the Essential Air Service and Alternate Essential Air Service programs on Nov. 2 if the federal government shutdown continued. That notice amended an Oct. 6 notification that stated the programs would be suspended as of Oct. 11 due to the shutdown.

On Thursday, Rosenthal said he notified Advanced Air of the change, letting them know that the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority wouldn’t be able to cover its costs after Nov. 18.

Advanced Air, which has provided service between Crescent City and Oakland and Crescent City and Southern California since March 2024, has stated it will continue to operate for as long as it can even if funding for the Essential Air Service program isn’t renewed. 

“Advanced Air cares deeply about the communities we serve, including Crescent City,” Barbara Hunt, Advanced Air’s vice president of business, said in an Oct. 21 email. 

The Essential Air Service Program serves 175 communities nationwide with the Alternate Essential Air Service offering more flexibility. According to Rosenthal, the program provides the BCRAA with about $400,000 a month for commercial air service. 

On Wednesday, Rosenthal said he hoped the government shutdown ends before the Nov. 18 deadline.

“We’re grateful that they extended it,” he said. “Hopefully they don’t need to again.”