Imperial County faces air service crisis as flights falter

During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the essential air service contract between Imperial County and Southern Airways. A representative highlighted that the county has been receiving approximately $1.2 million annually to maintain local air service, primarily connecting Imperial County to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and, more recently, to Phoenix.

However, the reliability of Southern Airways has come into question, with reports indicating that the airline failed to complete one out of four scheduled flights as of yesterday. This unreliability has forced travelers to seek alternative transportation methods, such as renting cars, particularly problematic for those with connecting flights at LAX.

The representative urged Imperial County staff to investigate the situation and work towards ensuring more consistent flight schedules. According to the existing contract, Southern Airways must maintain an average of 10 passengers per day; failure to meet this requirement could jeopardize Imperial County's essential air service status. The meeting underscored the importance of reliable air service for the community and the potential implications of continued flight cancellations.