Dead Organizations

* This is the fourth airline company to bankrupt in 2 weeks.  

Frontier Airlines, Inc. (Founded 1994) is a low-cost airline based at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, USA. The carrier operates flights throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Frontier is a major low-cost airline with two thirds of its US destinations west of the Mississippi River. The carrier maintains its primary hub at Denver International Airport, and provides regional service to the surrounding Rocky Mountain States through a code-share agreement with Great Lakes Airlines.

In March 2007, Republic Airlines slowly began replacing Horizon Air as the operator of their feeder service, Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airlines; Frontier JetExpress, which was operated by Horizon Air, ceased operations on November 30, 2007.

On April 10, 2008, Frontier announced that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to its credit card processor, First Data, attempting to withhold significant proceeds from ticket sales. First Data suddenly decided that it would withhold 100% of the carriers proceeds from ticket sales beginning May 1st. According to Frontier's press release, "This change in practice would have represented a material change to our cash forecasts and business plan. Unchecked, it would have put severe restraints on Frontier's liquidity..." Its operation continues uninterrupted, though, as Chapter 11 bankruptcy protects the corporation's assets and allows restructuring to ensure long-term viability.

###

This is a third airline company to close in a week (March 30, 2008 - April, 5 2008)

Skybus Airlines (May 22, 2007 - April 5, 2008) was a privately held airline based in Columbus, Ohio, USA. It operated as an ultra-low-cost carrier modeled after the European airline Ryanair and the early years of Southwest Airlines, aimed to be the least expensive airline in the United States. The business model was heavily reliant on flying routes where other airlines did not have direct flights, as Ryanair did in Europe, thus keeping competition to a minimum. The business model also included advertising on the interior and exterior of its aircraft as well as selling merchandise onboard.

The airline applied for operating approval on January 1, 2005,  received approval to operate on March 15, 2006,  and FAA certification on May 10, 2007.It had been granted a waiver to begin ticket sales on April 24, 2007; the first flights out of Columbus began on May 22, 2007. Skybus announced on April 4, 2008 that it would cease operations as of April 5, 2008, citing the lagging economy and the rising fuel costs as causes.

* This is a second airline company to file Chapter 11 this week.

ATA Airlines, Iinc (1973 - April 2, 2008):

On April 2, 2008, ATA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. ATA then announced it was ceasing all services, citing the unexpected loss of a major contract for their military charter business along with recent increases in jet fuel prices. The two flights in the air at the time of the announcement proceeded to their destinations, after which all ATA flights were canceled. 

ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American low-cost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as military and commercial charter flights around the world. The airline maintained focus cities at Chicago Midway International Airport, Honolulu International Airport, and Oakland International Airport.

Aloha Airlines (1946 - March 30, 2008) is an American airline headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. It operates air cargo and contract air services out of its hub at Honolulu International Airport. The airline is scheduled to discontinue passenger services on March 31, 2008, however cargo services will continue to operate.

The airlines was founded as charter carrier Trans-Pacific Airlines by publisher Ruddy Tongg as a competitor to Hawaiian Airlines, commencing operations on Aloha Friday, July 26, 1946 with a single war-surplus Douglas C-47 (DC-3) on a flight from Honolulu to Maui and Hilo 

On March 30, 2008, 10 days after placing itself under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Aloha Airlines announced that March 31, 2008, would be the last day of scheduled passenger services both on transpacific and interisland routes.

###