; and (B) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: (E) the assistance will be used to help restore scheduled passenger air service that has been terminated; . (b) Authorization of appropriations Section 41743(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (2) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023 to carry out this section, of which $4,800,000 per fiscal year shall be used to carry out the pilot program established under subsection (i). Such sums shall remain available until expended. . (c) Regional air transportation pilot program Section 41743 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Regional air transportation pilot program (1) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a regional air transportation pilot program to provide operating assistance to air carriers in order to provide air service to communities not receiving sufficient air carrier service. (2) Grants The Secretary shall provide grants under the program to encourage and maintain air service at reasonable airfares between communities that have experienced, as determined by the Secretary, significant declines in air service. (3) Application required In order to participate in the program, a State, local government, economic development authority, or other public entity shall submit to the Secretary an application, in a manner that the Secretary prescribes, that contains— (A) an identification of an air carrier that has provided a written agreement to provide the air service in partnership with the applicant; (B) assurances that the applicant will provide the non-Federal share and that the non-Federal share is not derived from airport revenue; (C) a proposed route structure serving not more than 8 communities