ATA, Aloha Woes Likely Mean Higher Fares
HONOLULU - The abrupt shutdowns of ATA Airlines and Aloha Airlines won’t keep travelers off Hawaii’s shores altogether, but they could make an already expensive vacation destination even pricier and potentially put the leis and luaus out of reach for many.Flights to and from Hawaii had been a key part of ATA’s business ever since the Indianapolis-based carrier scaled back its route network following a previous trip through bankruptcy in 2006.On Thursday, the airline suddenly quit flying, leaving passengers on the islands and elsewhere stranded as it again headed for bankruptcy court. Virtually all the carrier’s more than 2,200 employees were laid off. Aloha Airlines stopped passenger service just days earlier after also filing for bankruptcy.Passengers approaching the closed ATA counters at Honolulu International Airport Thursday morning were met by state transportation agents, who distributed information about ATA’s shutdown. Many travelers were looking for other ways to fly out of Hawaii.
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Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 5:50 pm under