JetAmerica folds up even before it takes off

JetAmerica, the low-cost carrier that had attracted widespread attention with its promotional fares amounting to only $9, has wrapped up before it could ever take off.

In a press release, JetAmerica, the company based in Clearwater, Florida, the United State, said it is “suspending sales to all markets” and also will begin to “process immediately refunds to customers.”

JetAmerica had announced August 14, 2009, as the latest date of launching its services.

The airline had initially planned to start flights on July 13, 2009, to “underserved markets” in the United States such as Toledo, Ohio; Melbourne, Florida; South Bend, Indiana; and Lansing, Michigan.

In addition, JetAmerica had scheduled services to bigger airports in the United States like Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport in Minnesota and Newark in New Jersey.

On July 2, 2009, JetAmerica had announced that it will put off the start of services by a month and refund its first $500,000 in sales thanks to problems related to obtaining landing slots at Newark Liberty International Airport.

JetAmerica said it would refund over $900,000 in ticket reservations for flights since August 14, 2009.

The company said that all passengers who hold a valid ticket on a JetAmerica flight originating from Toledo Express Airport in Ohio, the United States, between July 13, 2009, and October 31, 2009, will be offered travel consultant services via Atlas World Travel.

Toledo Express Airport, the company added, will cover booking fees for those passengers who use Atlas World Travel when making their new arrangements. (However, passengers are responsible for their air fare.)

To consult Atlas World Travel, passengers have been requested to email their booking confirmation, email address and daytime phone number to Atlas World Travel at smiller@atlasworldtravel.com
Atlas World Travel and Toledo Express Airport jointly host the website flytoledoexpress.com which is the passenger booking agent for Toledo Express Airport.

The JetAmerica press release has asked anyone who has not received a refund within 14 days to call 727-451-3970.

John Weikle, CEO of JetAmerica, explained in the press release that the company is “reluctantly suspending” its public-charter operations from July 18, 2008.

The company, he added, “strongly believes” that there is “an unmet need for affordable air service to secondary markets” and “looks forward to offering this option in the near future.”

It may be noted that John Weikle also was one of the founders of Skybus, an ultra-low-fare airline that closed shop a few months after its launch.