GAO STUDY ON COSTS OF ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE.

SEC. 567. GAO STUDY ON COSTS OF ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE. (a) Study.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the change in costs of the essential air service program under sections 41731 through 41742 of title 49, United States Code. (b) Contents.—In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall— (1) assess trends in costs of the essential air service program under sections 41731 through 41742 of title 49, United States Code, over the 10-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) review potential causes for the increased cost of the essential air service program, including— (A) labor costs; (B) fuel costs; (C) aging aircraft costs; (D) air carrier opportunity costs; (E) airport costs; and (F) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. (c) Report.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).