http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0104/121072.html
Great Plains To File For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
Friday January 23, 2004 5:04pm Posted By: Kevin King
Tulsa-based Great Plains Airlines announced today that it is seeking protection under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code.
David Johnson, company Chairman and CEO, says the company hopes to reorganize by March.
"We regret having to make this decision," Johnson said. "But, we remain committed to our plan of providing direct air service to the people of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Illinois, Tennessee and Washington D.C."
According to a press release from the company, Great Plains is discontinuing its scheduled service and will fly charters only. "Passengers who have purchased transportation from Great Plains Airlines should attempt to make arrangements on another carrier if they still wish to travel," the release stated.
Johnson also says that there will be a reduction in employment, but that it is expected to be temporary and that the company will be able to rehire the workers quickly.
"There have been significant training dollars spent in up-grading the skills of our employees and it is truly regretful that we have to lay off anyone at this time," Johnson said.
Great Plains has been in operation since March 2001 and just recently began flying out of St. Louis' Mid-America Airport in October. The deal was seen as a positive for both the airline and the airport. Great Plains had been struggling to turn a profit and Mid-America has been without a passenger carrier for nearly two years.
Earlier this month, the airline announced it had suspended three flights out of its new location because of a delay in receiving engines for its planes.
