Independence Air to Shut Down

January 3, 2006

Independence Air to Shut Down
January 3, 2006 – Independence Air announced on Monday that it will cease flights at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5. The airline is currently operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and is seeking bankruptcy court approval to automatically refund customers with reservations for flights scheduled to depart beyond that time.

Travel Pulse Daily reports that customers with roundtrip reservations for trips departing before the cessation of operations (including those customers who have already departed) but were scheduled to return afterwards will be contacted by Independence Air and offered the opportunity to change their return reservations to one of the remaining days of operation. All change fees will be waived for changes made by phone. The company is also seeking bankruptcy court approval to automatically refund customers for those return flights that are not rescheduled. No refunds will be offered for free tickets or vouchers.

Other U.S. airlines operating on the same routes as Independence Air are required to offer standby seats for $50 each way to passengers holding unrefunded tickets. The requirement is part of a federal law passed in November 2001, to protect airline passengers following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Passengers must make their requests to the carriers within 60 days after Independence Air halts it service.

Decisions on outstanding aircraft leases and gate space at dozens of airports will be determined through bankruptcy proceedings.

For more information, visit http://www.iflyi.com/.