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Low Cost Airline News - North America

Airguide Online, April 14, 2008

Apr 14, 2008

AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways said it would add one daily roundtrip flight between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Thursday to help transport passengers stranded due to the American cancellations . Industry observers say that more inspections could lie ahead. The latest checks are part of a second phase of audits being carried out by the FAA, which came under pressure from lawmakers after its inspectors were found to be too lax with Southwest Airlines last year. That round of inspections runs through June 30. Apr 11, 2008

AirTran Airways

AirTran took the top spot in the 18th annual national Airline Quality Ratings (AQR) study. Last year the airline ranked third in the AQR. Following AirTran in the top five for the AQR were JetBlue, Southwest, Northwest and Frontier. As far as an overall rating for the industry, however, this is the worst AQR score ever, according to AQR researchers. The second worst was for calendar year 2000. There are similarities between 2000 and 2007. During both 2000 and 2007 there was talk of the United States heading into a recession, the airlines were making money after an unprofitable period, and demand for air travel was strong. The AQR is a summary of month-by-month quality ratings for the largest domestic U.S. airlines operating during 2007. Co-researchers Brent Bowen, professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Aviation Institute/School of Public Administration, and Dean Headley, associate professor and chair of marketing at Wichita State University (WSU), used 15 elements important to consumers when judging the quality of airline service. Apr 8, 2008

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines Holdings announced it continues to be fully operational, providing customers services. On Friday, April 11, 2008, it was business as usual for Frontier customers who were met with friendly service, on-time flight schedules, and hassle-free travel. In its first full day of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Frontier flew a full schedule of 405 flights, with more than 74% of those flights arriving on time, and zero cancellations as of late this afternoon. The airline saw virtually no drop in anticipated numbers, serving a total of 29,088 customers. Apr 11, 2008

Skybus Airlines

Skybus Airlines and ASTA also said US Airways will also offer a $50 standby fare for travelers who were scheduled to fly on Skybus to/from Columbus, Ohio and Greensboro, NC. The $50 fee applies per non-stop leg and does not include applicable taxes and fees. See www.usairways.com Apr 8, 2008

Skybus Airlines

Skybus Airlines, a no-frills, low-cost carrier, became the third airline to shut down in less than 10 days. Skybus followed ATA and Aloha's example on April 5. Skybus also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Skybus was not an ARC participating carrier. In a statement, Skybus said it had 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. 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, Skybus said. All flights for Friday, April 4 were completed, Skybus said. Skybus was formed last year and headquartered in Columbus, OH. Apr 8, 2008

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