Skybus cancels more flights
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 8:02 AM
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Discount carrier Skybus Airlines canceled ten flights Wednesday because of problems with two of its aircraft, a day after Christmas cancellations left scores of travelers stranded.
A door problem discovered on one plane late Monday was expected to be fixed before Wednesday evening, said Bob Tenenbaum, a Skybus spokesman.
A second plane was undergoing maintenance to repair damage to the fuselage behind the front entry door. The work could be finished by Thursday morning, but if not, further cancellations are likely, Tenenbaum said.
Round trips were scrubbed Wednesday between the company's hometown of Columbus and Milwaukee; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Bellingham, Wash.; Portsmouth, N.H.; and Gulfport, Miss. On Tuesday, Skybus canceled four flights.
Tenenbaum estimated that at least 1,000 passengers were affected by the service disruptions over the two days.
The airline was offering refunds for flights that were canceled and was making efforts to rebook travelers on later Skybus flights. But Skybus was unable to transfer passengers to flights on other airlines because it does not have those agreements with other carriers, Tenenbaum said.
The airline apologized to customers whose Christmas travel plans were ruined.
“This is terribly unfortunate, and the timing also is very unfortunate. I think people get accustomed to travel disruptions, but nobody likes to see them around Christmas,” Tenenbaum said.
Skybus launched service from its Columbus hub May 22, offering some seats for as little as $10 each way, plus taxes and fees.
Last week, it reported a loss of $16 million for the three months that ended Sept. 30.
The Dispatch Printing Company, publisher of
The Dispatch, owns a minority stake in Skybus.
Skybus cancellations
Wednesday departures
Flight 270 to Seattle/Vancouver - 6:05 A.M.
Flight 87 to Ft. Lauderdale - 6:45 A.M.
Flight 28 to Milwaukee - 4:09 P.M.
Flight 7 to Boston - 7:17 P.M.
Flight 777 to Gulfport-Biloxi (New Orleans) - 8:03 P.M.
Wednesday arrivals
Flight 271 From Seattle/Vancouver 8:35 A.M.
Flight 88 From Ft. Lauderdale - 9:37 A.M.
Flight 27 From Milwaukee - 4:46 P.M.
Flight 8 From Boston - 9:19 P.M.
Thursday arrival
Flight 21 from Gulfport-Biloxi (New Orleans) - 12:24 A.M. (12/27)
Updated at 2 p.m., Wednesday