U.S. Representatives, Tim Ryan and Bill Johnson introduced legislation on Thursday that would designate any airport in use by an air reserve station as a "primary airport."

This change would allow the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG) and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) to once again be designated as a primary airport.

Currently, YNG is the only commercial airport in the country with an air reserve station that doesn't have commercial air service.

Upon the loss of commercial service in 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) significantly reduced the annual maintenance funding at the airfield.

As a result, YNG faces significant and increasing challenges to maintain its infrastructure for current users such as the 910th Airlift Wing, corporate, charter and general aviation users.

Congressman Ryan says YNG is an economic driver for the Mahoning Valley.

"This designation would bolster the important role [YNG] serves in our region and further protect our airbase while ensuring the men and women who work there have access to the infrastructure necessary to do their jobs efficiently and safely," Ryan said.

Johnson says the legislation would amend title 49, United States Code to direct the FAA to include a public airport in use by an air reserve station as a pirmary airport, allowing it to address many of its challenges.

"The Western Reserve Port Authority and local officials have been working as hard as ever to both maintain the airport, bring back commercial traffic, and support the mission of the 910th Airlift Wing. Designation as a primary airport will go a long way in helping with these goals and this new approach, if successful would greatly benefit the airport and region," Johnson said.