CBS 2 Investigates: Nearly Empty Flights On Taxpayers' Dime

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A controversial air service costs millions in taxpayer money, with nearly empty flights leaving airports for rural destinations.

The flights qualify for large federal subsidies as part of the Essential Air Service program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

CBS2 Investigative Reporter David Goldstein got a look at a nearly empty commuter plane flying out of Burbank, and reported that taxpayers are paying for part of every empty seat.

"This is an extraordinary waste of money that's flown under the radar," said Steve Ellis with Taxpayers For Common Sense.

The route is from Burbank to the tiny towns of Imperial and El Centro, just east of San Diego.

Depending on the flight, passengers pay Seaport Airlines a fare of under $100, but the federal government is subsidizing another $423 a ticket. That subsidy came to $1.9 million just last year for 24 round trips per week.

It's part of a federal program called Essential Air Service that provides air transportation to small towns.

One passenger said the flight from Burbank to Imperial is a quick commute.

"My parents can't drive here, and it's very convenient for me," she said. "Instead of getting on the road right now for four hours, I can be there in an hour and 15 minutes."

Ellis said it's a waste of money.

"It's a relic of a bygone era," he said. "For having 'essential' in its name, the vast majority of taxpayers have never even heard of this program and certainly haven't benefited from this program."

Seaport Airlines, which is a private company, won the bid for the service. In order for a route to qualify for the program, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires at least 10 passengers per day.

In 2013, the route came in just under that at 9½ passengers. But after letters from California senators and local leaders, the service was given a one- year wavier to continue.

However, as the empty seats show, it's even less. For the first seven months of 2014, Department of Transportation figures show 1,536 passengers flew the route, with 4,998 empty seats. For the year, the average was down to 7.9 passengers a day, well under the 10 passenger minimum. But as of right now the feds are looking to continue the route.

"If they're not meeting the 10 person per day enplanement, it should be scrapped and the community kicked out of the program," Ellis said.

But Imperial Mayor Mark Gran, who we spoke with via Skype, says his city needs passenger service to survive.

"I would say it's not a waste of money for us in this area," Gran said. "Maybe to somebody else. But then you look at agriculture and people say it's a waste of money to grow crops down here, and yet they eat the lettuce. We need Essential Air Service to be able to increase commerce."

Goldstein reported that this is not an isolated case. There are 116 airports nationwide that have subsidized flights, and many of those are also flying with empty seats.

For example. a flight from Denver to Devils Lake, N.D., was also nearly empty.

The budget for Essential Air Service nationwide is a whopping $261 million a year.

"We pay huge subsidies for empty and near empty flights," said California Rep. Tom McClintock, who plans to push for an end to the program. "If there's no natural customer base for these flights, taxpayers have no reason to be shoveling their hard-earned money to subsidize somebody else's ticket."

But for now the flights continue, with or without passengers, and taxpayers are taking the ride.