Info on Independence Air

[Stacy9402]

I got this in an email from them:

Just this once, we're going to be like other airlines.

We have joined United, US Airways, Delta, Northwest and ATA who have recently been or are still operating under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. After carefully reviewing all our options, we decided that this course of action represents the best long-term solution for Independence Air, our customers, our employees, our creditors and the communities we serve.

There will be no change to day-to-day operations. Our flights will continue to fly as scheduled, tickets and reservations will be honored, iCLUB members will still earn points and redeem them, and all refunds and exchanges will be made as always.

Basically, the sun will come up tomorrow. We look forward to taking you where you need to go this holiday season. It will be “business as usual” at Independence Air.

Which, as thousands of you have already discovered, is refreshingly different than “business as usual” at other airlines.

If you’ve been flying us, thank you. Please keep supporting your hometown airline.

If you haven’t flown us yet, find out why we are now rated #2 in customer satisfaction in the highly regarded Market Metrix Survey.* Find out why we were rated in the Top 3 of US Airlines in Travel + Leisure’s Annual World’s Best Awards. Find out why we were one of only two airlines to win an Extra Mile Award from Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine. Find out why we made the Reader’s Choice Top 10 list of US Airlines in Condé Nast Traveler.

Find out how low fares, Tender Loving ServiceSM and a willingness to challenge the status quo have changed air travel in Washington forever.

 

[Chicago526]

From Reuters

http://today.reuters.com/investing/...IDST_0_TRANSPORT-FLYI-BANKRUPTCY-UPDATE-2.XML

Mon Nov 7, 2005 8:33 AM ET


By Christian Plumb

NEW YORK, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Low-fare airline Independence Air has filed for bankruptcy, its parent company FLYi Inc. <FLYI.O> said on Monday, the latest Chapter 11 filing by a U.S. airline, adding that it would seek to auction itself.

The former regional feeder carrier had been struggling with high fuel prices which hit the airline particularly hard because of its reliance on inefficient 50-seat regional jets.

Its bankruptcy could be good news for rivals whose fares have been depressed by competition from Independence out of Washington Dulles International and other airports on the East Coast of the United States.

Rick DeLisi, a spokesman for the airline, said it continues to operate normally for the time being.

"We're not planning any changes to our schedule or to our destinations that would affect our customers at this time," he said.

FLYi, which sought bankruptcy protection along with its Independence Air unit, said it would request court approval to engage in a formal court-supervised auction to seek outside investors or purchasers for all or part of its assets.

If successful, the auction is expected to take place within 60 days, the airline said, adding that it expects to have enough financial resources to fund its obligations during that time, including paying its employees.

Independence, which had flown as a feeder carrier for larger airlines like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, began flying as an independent airline starting in June 2004.

The airline, which recently said it planned to lay off 600 people and cancel flights to some key destinations, plans to cut costs further. Chief Executive Officer Kerry Skeen will take a 25 percent salary cut on top of a previous 15 percent reduction and other executives will also take cuts.

Independence said it has also been negotiating with the unions representing its flight attendants and mechanics on cuts in wages and changes to work rules and expects to announce a tentative agreement with both unions shortly.

FLYi's stock, which has slid 89 percent so far this year, is likely to be canceled as a result of the Chapter 11 case.

 

[UMTerp]

I have a flight book on IA for April. Does anyone know what will happen if they sell off? Is it likely that another airline will pick them up? Would my flight be transferred? Do you think I need to book an alternate flight now? We are going during spring break and I'm worried about the prices.

Thanks for any insight!

UMTerp

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I have a flight book on IA for April. Does anyone know what will happen if they sell off? Is it likely that another airline will pick them up? Would my flight be transferred? Do you think I need to book an alternate flight now? We are going during spring break and I'm worried about the prices.

Thanks for any insight!

UMTerp

Stay Tunned for any news.

As of now, it looks like you will be ok, but that could change.

 

[n2mm]

I have a flight book on IA for April. Does anyone know what will happen if they sell off? Is it likely that another airline will pick them up? Would my flight be transferred? Do you think I need to book an alternate flight now? We are going during spring break and I'm worried about the prices.

Thanks for any insight!

UMTerp

According to the Wash. Post, it looks like they will continue for 60 days (Jan.5), if a buyer is not found they will close their doors. Also there is a chance that parts of the company may be bought up. I would certainly start looking elsewhere, but not sure you can get your money back until they close. I have used FlyI for my last 4 trips and really like them, so am pretty sad about this news....though most of us already had heard about this before now. I just booked my December trip on United for my trip in 3 weeks because if Flyi closes soon, I'm sure United's prices will go up. I have a trip planned for February and another one for April, so will be watching this, but will miss FlyI--I almost had enough rewards for a free ticket! drat!

 

[Stacy9402]

I hope they don't close their doors. I have my disney trip booked with them 1/28 - 1/31.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

According to the Wash. Post, it looks like they will continue for 60 days (Jan.5), if a buyer is not found they will close their doors.

Chances are, if someone doesn't buy the actual "Independence Airline", the aircraft will go to the salvage yard, like they would have before FlyI was started. All of FlyI's fleet were ex United aircraft.