CEDAR CITY, Utah — As the government shutdown extends to nearly a week , a new impact may affect travel out of Utah's rural airports, as funding that helps subsidize airlines flying out of smaller areas could end this weekend.

If the shutdown continues past Sunday, funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) will come to a halt, and airports in Moab, Vernal and Cedar City could see turbulence. The EAS is a government program that funds carriers to continue flying out of rural airports despite the routes being unprofitable.

With the deadline quickly approaching, Canyonlands Airport Director Steve Gleason took immediate action during a Monday board meeting, assuring officials that flights will still be able to utilize the airport during one of its busiest months.

"We’re going to keep

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