REPORT ON RESTORATION OF SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE.

SEC. 570. REPORT ON RESTORATION OF SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE. (a) In General.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study on the loss of commercial air service in small communities in the United States and options to restore such service. (b) Contents.—In conducting the study required under subsection (a), that National Academies shall— (1) assess the reduction of scheduled commercial air service to small communities over a 5-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act, to include small communities that have lost all scheduled commercial air service; (2) review economic trends that have resulted in reduction or loss of scheduled commercial air service to such communities; (3) review the economic losses of such communities who have suffered a reduction or loss of scheduled commercial air service; (4) identify the causes that prompted air carriers to reduce or eliminate scheduled commercial air service to such communities; (5) assess the impact of changing aircraft economics; and (6) identify recommendations that can be implemented by such communities or Federal, State, or local agencies to aid in the restoration or replacement of scheduled commercial air service. (c) Case Studies.—In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the National Academies shall assess not fewer than 7 communities that have lost commercial air service or have had commercial air service significantly reduced in the past 15 years, including— (1) Williamsport Regional Airport; (2) Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport; and (3) Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport. (d) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing— (1) the results of the study described in subsection (a); and (2) recommendations to Congress and communities on action that can be taken to improve or restore scheduled commercial service to small communities. (e) Funding.—No funding made available to carry out subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, may be used to carry out this section.