Independence Air to Discontinue Flights
Jan 2, 2006, 9:44 am
#1
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Independence Air to Discontinue Flights
WASHINGTON - Less than 19 months after Independence Air took to the skies, the low-cost carrier has announced that it will cancel all flights scheduled to depart after 7 p.m. this Thursday.
"We are voluntarily discontinuing scheduled service," Kerry Skeen, Independence Air's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a written statement issued Monday.
The financially troubled airline filed for bankruptcy protection in November. Parent company FLYi, Inc., had been trying to find a major investor or buyer.
"There has not been a firm offer put forward that meets the financial criteria necessary to continue operations," Skeen said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060102/...dependence_air
"We are voluntarily discontinuing scheduled service," Kerry Skeen, Independence Air's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a written statement issued Monday.
The financially troubled airline filed for bankruptcy protection in November. Parent company FLYi, Inc., had been trying to find a major investor or buyer.
"There has not been a firm offer put forward that meets the financial criteria necessary to continue operations," Skeen said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060102/...dependence_air
Jan 3, 2006, 2:04 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Washington, DC USA
Programs: UA; Amtrak
Posts: 2,002
Coverage in today's WPost
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010200857.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010201685.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010201734.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010201731.html
Independence To End Flights On Thursday
Financially Troubled Flyi Can't Find Buyer, Decides to Cease Operations
By Bill Brubaker and Sholnn Freeman, Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, January 3, 2006; Page A01
The demise of Independence Air, whose blue and white jets have become a familiar sight in the skies around Washington Dulles International Airport, will leave 2,700 employees, including 2,300 in the Dulles area, out of work, and thousands of passengers scrambling to find alternate flights and secure refunds. The shutdown also will cut competition in the 37 markets Independence serves, probably leading to higher fares at Dulles Airport. ...
Flyi is the largest airline to go out of business since 1991, when both Eastern Air Lines Inc. and Midway Air Lines Inc. folded...
Financially Troubled Flyi Can't Find Buyer, Decides to Cease Operations
By Bill Brubaker and Sholnn Freeman, Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, January 3, 2006; Page A01
The demise of Independence Air, whose blue and white jets have become a familiar sight in the skies around Washington Dulles International Airport, will leave 2,700 employees, including 2,300 in the Dulles area, out of work, and thousands of passengers scrambling to find alternate flights and secure refunds. The shutdown also will cut competition in the 37 markets Independence serves, probably leading to higher fares at Dulles Airport. ...
Flyi is the largest airline to go out of business since 1991, when both Eastern Air Lines Inc. and Midway Air Lines Inc. folded...
Despite Persistent Criticism, Airline Chief Stayed His Course
By Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 3, 2006; Page D01
...Industry analysts scoffed at his business plan from the start, and many predicted what happened yesterday, when Skeen's Independence Air announced it will stop flying on Thursday evening. ... Skeen, the airline's unyielding chief executive, blamed its demise on a combination of troubles, including record high fuel prices and cutthroat competition from other airlines.
By Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 3, 2006; Page D01
...Industry analysts scoffed at his business plan from the start, and many predicted what happened yesterday, when Skeen's Independence Air announced it will stop flying on Thursday evening. ... Skeen, the airline's unyielding chief executive, blamed its demise on a combination of troubles, including record high fuel prices and cutthroat competition from other airlines.
Lofty Expectations, Missed Opportunities
Carrier's Workers Face Difficult Job Search
By Sholnn Freeman, Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 3, 2006; Page D01
...Darryl Jenkins, an airline consultant based in Virginia, said he didn't think the workers had much of a chance to find another airline job in the Washington area.
Last year, airline industry employment in the United States fell to 442,000, down 6 percent from the previous year. At the height of airline employment, in 2001, the industry employed 680,000 workers.
Carrier's Workers Face Difficult Job Search
By Sholnn Freeman, Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 3, 2006; Page D01
...Darryl Jenkins, an airline consultant based in Virginia, said he didn't think the workers had much of a chance to find another airline job in the Washington area.
Last year, airline industry employment in the United States fell to 442,000, down 6 percent from the previous year. At the height of airline employment, in 2001, the industry employed 680,000 workers.
Flyi's Demise Sets the Stage For Higher Fares
By Keith L. Alexander
Tuesday, January 3, 2006; Page D01
... Fares from Dulles to various cities dropped 30 to 65 percent in the first quarter of 2005, with the average fare declining as much as $110, according to a September report by the Transportation Department. In the same quarter, fares nationwide had begun rising. ...
"The fares are going to go up. They have to," said Michael J. Boyd, president of the Boyd Group, an Evergreen, Colo.-based consulting firm. "Think of Independence Air as being a two-year-long Santa Claus to small communities. Well, Santa Claus just ran out of money."
By Keith L. Alexander
Tuesday, January 3, 2006; Page D01
... Fares from Dulles to various cities dropped 30 to 65 percent in the first quarter of 2005, with the average fare declining as much as $110, according to a September report by the Transportation Department. In the same quarter, fares nationwide had begun rising. ...
"The fares are going to go up. They have to," said Michael J. Boyd, president of the Boyd Group, an Evergreen, Colo.-based consulting firm. "Think of Independence Air as being a two-year-long Santa Claus to small communities. Well, Santa Claus just ran out of money."
Jan 3, 2006, 7:16 am
#3
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Well, one thing's for sure: They're 'high five'n it' at UA WHQ in Chicago!
But here's something I didn't know:
'Currently ranked #2 in customer satisfaction among all US airlines, we are proud that we did indeed earn your respect and loyalty. We are proud that we built a brand so universally praised by over 8 million customers.'
I loved the ending paragraph:
Today is a sad day for our customers who have gotten used to tender loving service and paying less for air travel. We will miss serving you. Thank you for your vigorous support.
Impressive!
But here's something I didn't know:
'Currently ranked #2 in customer satisfaction among all US airlines, we are proud that we did indeed earn your respect and loyalty. We are proud that we built a brand so universally praised by over 8 million customers.'
I loved the ending paragraph:
Today is a sad day for our customers who have gotten used to tender loving service and paying less for air travel. We will miss serving you. Thank you for your vigorous support.
Impressive!
Last edited by tvl4free; Jan 3, 2006 at 7:29 am
Jan 5, 2006, 7:43 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Washington, DC USA
Programs: UA; Amtrak
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Backlash well underway.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010401881.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010401881.html
Thursday, January 5, 2006; Page D04
Flyi's Skeen May Have Averted Pay Loss
CEO's Renegotiated Contract Makes $3.4 Million Harder for Creditors to Reach
By David S. Hilzenrath, Washington Post Staff Writer
Kerry B. Skeen, chairman and chief executive of Independence Air, may have avoided the loss of more than $3 million in deferred compensation by renegotiating his contract in March, months before the budget carrier entered bankruptcy protection, according to specialists in bankruptcy law and executive compensation and a review of company documents.
Flyi's Skeen May Have Averted Pay Loss
CEO's Renegotiated Contract Makes $3.4 Million Harder for Creditors to Reach
By David S. Hilzenrath, Washington Post Staff Writer
Kerry B. Skeen, chairman and chief executive of Independence Air, may have avoided the loss of more than $3 million in deferred compensation by renegotiating his contract in March, months before the budget carrier entered bankruptcy protection, according to specialists in bankruptcy law and executive compensation and a review of company documents.
Jan 5, 2006, 3:10 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Washington, DC USA
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010401951.html
Columnist also hosted a chat about various topics including FlyI (though mostly about a local radio station format change), transcript of which is at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...122900681.html
Thursday, January 5, 2006; Page B01
We Loved That Airline To Death
By Marc Fisher, Washington Post Metro columnist
... Independence Air fliers say that, sure, they search, sometimes obsessively, for the lowest fare, but they recognize that this scrappy little airline's fares were preposterously, even stupidly, low. ...
We Loved That Airline To Death
By Marc Fisher, Washington Post Metro columnist
... Independence Air fliers say that, sure, they search, sometimes obsessively, for the lowest fare, but they recognize that this scrappy little airline's fares were preposterously, even stupidly, low. ...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...122900681.html
Potomac Confidential with Marc Fisher
Thursday, January 5, 2006; 12:00 PM
...Wal-Mart has a far more pernicious (and in other ways, beneficial) impact in a much broader sense. But I made the comparison just to raise the question about our addiction to low prices, even when they quite obviously don't make economic sense for the business.
Thursday, January 5, 2006; 12:00 PM
...Wal-Mart has a far more pernicious (and in other ways, beneficial) impact in a much broader sense. But I made the comparison just to raise the question about our addiction to low prices, even when they quite obviously don't make economic sense for the business.
Jan 7, 2006, 7:23 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: CT USA
Posts: 2,577
Airlines wooing low-cost fliers
Companies offer cheap fares to fill gap left after Independence Air closure
By DERRILL HOLLY, Associated Press
First published: Saturday, January 7, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Several airlines are stepping up efforts to fill the void created by the bankruptcy of Independence Air.
Less than 12 hours after pilots parked the last of the now closed company's jets at Washington Dulles International Airport, at least four carriers were promoting sales or expanded service.
Some were offering low-cost flights from the three major commercial airports in the Washington, D.C., area.
"We're starting up to six flights daily from Dulles to Boston on Jan. 17," said Jenny Dervin, a spokeswoman for JetBlue Airways Group Inc. While the service expansion was announced in November, Dervin said the company has decided to reintroduce a $25 one-way fare on the new route.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories...storyID=437163
Companies offer cheap fares to fill gap left after Independence Air closure
By DERRILL HOLLY, Associated Press
First published: Saturday, January 7, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Several airlines are stepping up efforts to fill the void created by the bankruptcy of Independence Air.
Less than 12 hours after pilots parked the last of the now closed company's jets at Washington Dulles International Airport, at least four carriers were promoting sales or expanded service.
Some were offering low-cost flights from the three major commercial airports in the Washington, D.C., area.
"We're starting up to six flights daily from Dulles to Boston on Jan. 17," said Jenny Dervin, a spokeswoman for JetBlue Airways Group Inc. While the service expansion was announced in November, Dervin said the company has decided to reintroduce a $25 one-way fare on the new route.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories...storyID=437163
Jan 7, 2006, 9:58 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 41
Here is a collection of links to airlines offering deals or standby travel for those holding Independence Air Tickets.
http://thetravelbloggers.com/2006/01...air-travelers/
http://thetravelbloggers.com/2006/01...air-travelers/