The Iowa Standard was able to speak with a representative from the Des Moines Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
The airport representative said after they had talked with We Are Iowa, they followed up because when the airport first looked it did not have any flight records.
However, the flight from Long Beach to Des Moines was a charter flight. The report for that flight has not been filed.
The airport did some further digging and confirmed that the flight came in but records indicated there were no passengers on board who deplaned.
The plane went from Long Beach to Des Moines, and then Des Moines to Atlanta.
A charter flight is not required to tell the airport its purpose for flying in or out.
“I don’t know who chartered that flight,” the airport representative said. “We don’t really look into that.”
For billing purposes, the airport tracks the number of people who come to the airport, so that number is supposed to be reported.
“We don’t have any indication at this point that anybody deplaned,” she said. “But again, the official report hasn’t been filed from April from what we can tell.”
The Iowa Standard asked if there were cameras at the airport that would show whether anyone deplaned.
“There are cameras,” she said.
Nobody has pulled any tape, however.
***The Iowa Standard is an independent media voice. We rely on grassroots financial supporters to exist. If you appreciate what we do, please consider a one-time sign of support or becoming a monthly supporter (even just $5/month would go a long way in sustaining us!) We also offer advertising options for advocacy groups, events and businesses! If you’ve ever used the phrase “Fake News Media” — this is YOUR chance to do something about it! You can also support us on PayPal at [email protected] or Venmo at Iowa-Standard-2018 or through the mail at:
PO Box 112
Sioux Center, IA 51250
Thank you so much for your support and please invite your friends and family to like us on Facebook, sign up for our email newsletter and visit our website!***
