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The Trump administration has announced that financial support from a US government program that supports airline routes to remote airfields are scheduled to end as early as this weekend due to the current federal funding lapse.

The US transportation department stated that financial assistance under the Essential Air Service initiative are expected to expire as soon as Sunday after the agency moved separate financial resources from the FAA as an temporary measure.

The department is in the process of alerting airline operators about the funding shortfall and informing communities about potential effects.

Federal authorities allocates approximately $350 million in annual funding for the program.

In recent months, the administration suggested reducing funding by $308m for the air service program, which enjoys popularity among Republican lawmakers because it provides services to predominantly Republican rural regions.

Throughout the initial term of the former president, the White House suggested terminating the Essential Air Service initiative – but Congress opted to increase funding instead.

This initiative typically supports two return flights each day using 30- to 50-seat aircraft – or more frequent flights with smaller planes. According to the department that under the program, approximately 65 areas in Alaska receive service and 112 locations across the remaining states and Puerto Rico that likely wouldn't have any airline service.

“All states nationwide will feel the effects,” the transportation chief stated during a press conference, observing the service had bipartisan support. “We lack the funding for that program moving forward.”