Andrew Ong 1 Report post Posted April 4, 2008 ATA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and ceased operations today: ATA AIRLINES DISCONTINUES ALL OPERATIONS After filing for Chapter 11 on April 2, 2008 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Indianapolis, IN, ATA Airlines has discontinued all operations and cancelled all current and future flights. Following the loss of a key contract for our military charter business, it became impossible for ATA to continue operations. Unfortunately, we were not in a position to provide our customers or others with advance notice. We apologize for the disruption caused by the sudden shutdown of ATA and regret the impact on passengers, employees, suppliers, and other parties. ATA customers should seek alternative arrangements for current and future travel. A list of other airlines serving ATA’s destinations is available here. ATA customers who purchased tickets using a credit card should contact their credit card company or travel agency directly for information about how to obtain a refund for unused tickets. ATA currently is unable to provide refunds to customers who purchased tickets directly from ATA with cash or a check. These customers may be able to obtain a full or partial refund for their unused tickets by submitting a claim in ATA’s Chapter 11 proceedings. Information about submitting a claim will be available at the following website: http://www.bmcgroup.com/ataairlines. Aloha Airlines stopped its passenger service on March 31, 2008 and now only operates cargo flights: ALOHA AIRLINES TO SHUT DOWN PASSENGER OPERATIONS AFTER MARCH 31, 2008, ENDING A 61-YEAR TRADITION OF SERVICE TO HAWAII HONOLULU – Aloha Airlines announced today that it will be shutting down its inter-island and transpacific passenger flight operations. Aloha’s last day of operations will be Monday, March 31, 2008. On that day, Aloha will operate its schedule with the exception of flights from Hawaii to the West Coast and flights from Orange County to Reno and Sacramento, and Oakland to Las Vegas. Code-share partner United Airlines and other airlines are prepared to assist and accommodate Aloha’s passengers who have been inconvenienced. For more information on United’s accommodation options, contact United at 1-800-UNITED1 or www.united.com. Passengers who do not wish to be re-accommodated by another airline should contact their travel agent or credit card company to request a refund. Effective immediately, Aloha will stop selling tickets for travel beyond March 31, 2008. The shutdown of Aloha’s passenger operations will affect about 1,900 employees. Aloha also announced that its air cargo and aviation services units will continue to operate as usual while the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeks bids from potential buyers. On March 27, 2008, Saltchuk Resources, Inc., announced its intention to buy Aloha’s air cargo business. “This is an incredibly dark day for Hawaii,” said David A. Banmiller, Aloha’s president and chief executive officer. “Despite the groundswell of support from the community and our elected officials, we simply ran out of time to find a qualified buyer or secure continued financing for our passenger business. We had no choice but to take this action. “We deeply regret the impact this will have on our dedicated employees who have made Aloha one of the best operating airlines in the country. “Aloha Airlines was founded in 1946 to give Hawaii’s people a choice in inter-island air transportation. Unfortunately, unfair competition has succeeded in driving us out of business, bringing to an end a 61-year-old company with a proud legacy of serving millions of travelers in the true spirit of Aloha. ”We realize that this comes as a devastating disappointment to our frequent flyers and our loyal business partners who have supported this company for many, many years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TK 0 Report post Posted April 4, 2008 there goes one Flower power... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KHOR 0 Report post Posted April 4, 2008 (edited) Some more Champion Air Champion Air Plans to Shut Down By SUSAN CAREY March 31, 2008 5:16 p.m. Champion Air, a closely held charter airline that has flown tourists, sports teams and U.S. Department of Defense personnel for the past 11 years, said Monday it will shut down on May 31 after fulfilling its current commitments and settling its financial obligations. The company, based in Bloomington, Minn., blamed the effects of rising fuel prices, the economic slowdown and tight credit markets on its business prospects and inability to attract new capital and new investors. The move will affect 550 employees. Aloha Airgroup Inc., a closely held scheduled airline based in Honolulu, shut down its passenger operations Monday after 61 years of service, blaming the same factors and laying off 1,900 workers. Aloha had filed for protection from its creditors in March for the second time since 2004, and hopes to find buyers for its cargo and ground-handling businesses. Champion, which began flying in 1987 as MGM Grand Air, assumed its current profile 11 years ago. For a time it was majority owned by the family holdings of Minneapolis investor Carl R. Pohlad, with Northwest Airlines Corp. holding a minority stake. Its current management bought the carrier a few years ago, a spokesman said. The company operates 16 Boeing 727s, uneconomical and elderly planes that have three engines and require three pilots in the cockpit. "Unfortunately, our business model is no longer viable in a world of $110 oil," said Lee Steele, the company's chief executive officer. He also said a growing trend away from charter airlines for certain types of trips was hurting Champion. Thus, the management and board decided to cease flying and wind up operations in a "responsible, deliberate manner," he said. Current employees will continue to receive pay and benefits through the end of May, Champion said. Edited April 4, 2008 by KHOR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yusoff 1 Report post Posted April 4, 2008 Aloha Airlines: Such a nice livery, old airlines, and for me, the trade mark of Hawaii. Sad to hear... Note to self: go get more of Aloha Airlines 1/400 models Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tamizi Hj Tamby 1 Report post Posted April 4, 2008 My goodness Sad to hear that ATA is filing of Chapter 11,and Aloha Airlines stops passenger services. What happened? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Ong 1 Report post Posted April 5, 2008 (edited) What happened? Here are two reasons : -Jet fuel prices are skyrocketing here in the US -Also, Aloha blames unfair competition from competitors, like Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines. Edited April 5, 2008 by Andrew Ong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan B. 5 Report post Posted April 5, 2008 (edited) Skybus is the latest casualty. Below is taken from their website. They had the biggest start-up fund of US$160 million double that of Jetblue. Wonder who's next? Skybus Airlines will cease all operations effective Saturday, April 5. Skybus struggled to overcome the combination of rising jet fuel costs and a slowing economic environment. These two issues proved to be insurmountable for a new carrier. We deeply regret the impact this decision will have on our employees and their families, customers, vendors, suppliers, airport officials and others in the cities in which we have operated. Our financial condition is such that our Board of Directors felt it had no choice but to cease operations. Passengers holding reservations for Skybus flights scheduled to depart on or after Saturday, April 5, 2008 should contact their credit card companies to arrange to apply for a refund. More information for customers and others will be made available on the Skybus web site (www.skybus.com) as it becomes available. All flights for Friday, April 4 will be completed. Passengers holding reservations on flights for Friday, April 4 should check in for their flight at a Skybus kiosk at the airport instead of the Skybus website. Edited April 5, 2008 by Alan B. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azuddin 1 Report post Posted April 5, 2008 Sad to see such a nice livery get thrown away. The was the last ATA i ever spotted. This pic was taken at DFW. Azuddin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seth K 3 Report post Posted April 5, 2008 LOL to US economy. I'm flying with AirTran next month, they better shut down later than that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted April 5, 2008 LOL to US economy ..... Oh wow, things starting to bite in real life already I suppose Time we tightened our belts here this part of the world as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seth K 3 Report post Posted April 5, 2008 Oh wow, things starting to bite in real life already I suppose Time we tightened our belts here this part of the world as well It just economic of scale...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
