I’ve been expecting this announcement for awhile now:
Independence Air, the scrappy Dulles-based carrier that broke off from United Airlines two years ago in the hopes of creating a budget alternative, yesterday filed for bankruptcy protection in a move that could well spell the airline’s demise.
Flyi Inc., the airline’s parent, vowed to continue normal flight operations while seeking court approval to auction itself off, but it warned that it will have to shut down if new investors or a buyer are not found in 60 days. Industry analysts, many of whom thought the airline was doomed from the start, expressed doubt yesterday that investors will be ready to gamble on a turnaround.
As I said in September, before we got married, Kellie and I took advantage of the great deals that Independence Air offered on flights to Cleveland. Even then, I knew that it wasn’t going ot last forever. Their business model probably never made sense to begin with. Unfortunately, this probably means air fares out of Dulles will increase again.
