Independence Air just cancelled all flights after Thursday!

[Luvdisney]

I just saw and confirmed on the Flyi website that Independence Air is canceling all flights after Thursdday evening! So sad I will really miss Flyi..

 

[travel with kids]

DH jsut called with the news. I am feeling ill. We HAD ressies from Portland, ME to MCO for trip in Feb. argh!!

 

[Tina]

Yep... here's the full story:

Independence Air To Shut Down Thursday

POSTED: 10:31 am EST January 2, 2006
UPDATED: 10:49 am EST January 2, 2006

CHANTILLY, Va. -- Flyi Inc., parent of low-fare airline Independence Air, said Monday it will discontinue flights after Thursday evening because of its "continued financial challenges."

The Dulles Airport-based carrier said it will discontinue all flights scheduled to leave after 7 p.m. Thursday, with the exception of a 7:26 p.m. flight from Washington to White Plains, N.Y.

Independence Air said anyone with a round-trip ticket that begins before the shutdown but ends afterward will be contacted by the carrier and offered the chance to change their return trip.

The airline is also asking a bankruptcy court to let it make refunds for flights beginning after the shutdown.

All change fees will be waived for changes made by phone. The company is also seeking bankruptcy court approval to automatically refund customers for return flights that are not rescheduled. No refunds will be offered for free tickets or vouchers.

"While we've been clear in reminding everyone that this was a possibility, we remained optimistic that there would be a way to avoid reaching this juncture," Independence Air Chairman and CEO Kerry Skeen said. "To date there has not been a firm offer put forward that meets the financial criteria necessary to continue operations as is. Therefore, we are voluntarily discontinuing scheduled service as of Thursday evening."

Independence Air had a short history. It came out of what used to be a United Express carrier and began flying in June 2004.

 

[debden]

I've never flown with them but heard they were a good airline.One good thing is they are making every effort to give refunds to all customers holding tickets. They got permission from the court to issue refunds.
Kudos to Independence Air...
Debbie

 

[bicker]

All sources I've read indicate that they're simply requesting permission to issue refunds, not that they have gotten permission.

I'll post this link around on the other relevant threads too, as it will be generally useful to the folks affected by Independence Air ceasing operations:

http://www.hasbrouck.org/articles/bankruptcy.html

 

[agnes!]

I've never flown with them but heard they were a good airline.One good thing is they are making every effort to give refunds to all customers holding tickets. They got permission from the court to issue refunds.
Kudos to Independence Air...
Debbie

I don't think that they have actually *gotten* permission from the bankruptcy courts to refund ticket money, I think that they are *seeking* permission to do so.
I'm not expecting a full refund.

agnes!

 

[debden]

Quote from Independence Airline Website:
"Additionally, we are seeking bankruptcy court approval to automatically provide refunds to customers holding reservations on flights occurring after our shutdown of operations on January 5th. No refunds will be offered for free tickets or vouchers."

Guess I misread the info.
Sorry,
Debbie

 

[CarolA]

You as the flyer are NOT a secured creditor. So, the secured creditors may protest what Independence wants to do. I would contact your CC company and try a dispute.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

You as the flyer are NOT a secured creditor. So, the secured creditors may protest what Independence wants to do. I would contact your CC company and try a dispute.

I would also book a flight ASAP!!! Just imagine all of the other iFly customers seeking flights from those same markets..

 

[Stacy9402]

I called flyi last night since we booked them for our trip at the end of January. They cancelled my flight and said I would have a refund in the amount I paid within 5 to 7 business days. So I would say call they are giving refunds.
I also rebooked us on fly ted which was almost $300 more :0

Oh well at least we still get to go to DISNEY!!

 

[snowbunny]

This is why I am really hesitant to book with Allegiant Air, another super low cost carrier with financial problems.

 

[bicker]

I wasn't aware that Allegiant actually had specific "financial problems."

 

[Patty3]

I will really miss Independence Air. In 2005, we flew them 5 times and always had very good experiences. More leg room, hot towels, on time flights, courteous crew and clean aircraft. I am sad that they had to file for bankruptcy.

 

[snowbunny]

I'm gossipping Bicker and you are correct, there are no hard data on problems at Allegiant. Consider the comment withdrawn. Personally I think Independence's problems started when they used Mary Matalin in their ads, but I can't prove that either

 

[bicker]

Whew! You scared me. My brother's relying Allegiant to get to WDW in a couple of weeks.

 

[DisFlan]

I'm gossipping Bicker and you are correct, there are no hard data on problems at Allegiant. Consider the comment withdrawn. Personally I think Independence's problems started when they used Mary Matalin in their ads, but I can't prove that either

Whew! I hope Allegiant is okay. It's the ONLY direct flight to Orlando from anywhere near us (Springfield, MO) - not to mention it's cheaper by quite a bit. We were planning to use it for our next trip, so I hope they stick around for awhile. They just started this route in October.

I guess nothing is guaranteed, though. I know the air business is tough for the lower fare guys.

DisFlan

 

[bigsis1970]

I wonder if they will issue refunds to those of us with Credits (I canceled a flight last Oct and have a credit i would hate to lose!)

 

[bicker]

I believe they've already announced that they won't be providing refunds for "vouchers" -- I'm not sure if "vouchers" is the same as "credits".