Login | Register | Subscribe to the GG RSS Feed

ATA Airlines - Another One Bites the Dust

1
2
3
4
5
GG Staff | 04/03/2008 - 08:55 | Add new comment

American Trans Air: Out of business - all current and future flights canceled

If you have a flight with ATA Airlines today, prepare yourself for frustration. After filing for bankruptcy protection yesterday, ATA Airlines (Southwest codeshare partner) shut down operations suddenly this morning. Shortly after 3 am, ticket counters were lifeless, only a flier informing passengers they would not be boarding flights as planned.

The low-cost carrier, based in Indianapolis, serviced routes between Chicago Midway and Dallas, Oakland, Leaving on a jet plane?Leaving on a jet plane?Guadalajara and Cancun (Mexico) as well as to Hawaii from Oakland, L.A., Phoenix and Las Vegas.

"ATA Airlines has been an outstanding partner for Southwest, and we are disappointed to hear this unfortunate news," Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Officer told PR Newswire. "We are sad to end our codeshare relationship with ATA but understand it's extremely difficult for an airline to flourish in today's arduous financial environment that has been plagued by soaring fuel prices."

Since 2005, Southwest and ATA Airlines have enjoyed a codeshare arrangement, which allowed the airlines to swap passengers and their checked baggage at Chicago Midway, Las Vegas McCarran, Phoenix Sky Harbor and Oakland. According to PR Newswire, Southwest also marketed and sold ATA-only flights.

ATA Airlines has posted a list of other airlines that may be willing to help with flight arrangements today. Southwest is already working on a plan and scrambling to rebook passengers as quickly as possible. They've set up a customer hotline regarding ATA flights at 1-800-308-5037.

If you bought your ticket using a credit card via a travel agent, you'll need to go back to the source for a refund. Cash or check customers can file a claim to the Chapter 11 proceedings for ATA.

ATA Airlines is a subsidiary of holding company Global Aero Logistics, a privately held company based in Peachtree City, Ga.

Do you have a flight booked on ATA?

Related Stories

Aloha Airlines Waves Final Aloha to Passengers
Luggage Freedom - Pack Heavy, but Travel Light
Delta Safety Video Sparks Online Controversy
7 New Airline Websites We Love
Lufthansa Landing Attempt Caught on Video
Eos Launches New Un-Airline Magazine Written by Readers

Rate This Post

No votes yet

Bookmark This Post

  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Magnoliacom
  • Newsvine
  • Furl
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Technorati

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Image CAPTCHA
Copy the characters (respecting upper/lower case) from the image.
Register

Membership is free and with it you can set up a profile, vote on stories and post your opinions.

Already a member?
Login
Not a member? Join!
Register

Most Recent Comments

  • On Canada Goes Green for St. Patrick's Day, Julia Rosien said "Great to meet you as well, Terri. And yes, we adore the Bay of Fundy :-) While I'll agree it's no longer parka weather in your neck of the woods, it's not quite string bikini weather either. Shall we toast to it and let the beer warm us up? Happy St Paddy's Day! Julia"

  • On Bonaire - Landsailing or Diving, Ann Phelan said "I love when folks visit our island and immerse themselves in the very cool diversions offered..thanks for sharing."

  • On Tour Bus Crash in Tortola – Caribbean Princess Passenger Dies, Sad and heavy heart said "On a note about the roads of Totrola which are steep, and windy and narrow, all the more reason that tour vehicles should have regular safety checks, SEATBELTS (which dirvers should mandate use or not allow passengers to continue with the tour, driver's should go slow, and Princess Cruise Lines should do extensive background checks, and not hire people with the nick-name of Crash-Dummy."

  • On Tour Bus Crash in Tortola – Caribbean Princess Passenger Dies, Jan said "We were also on the ship with our friends, had spent the day at the beach in Tortola where the slider on my Omega came off, "broke" and lost. I had just purchased it on board the ship the day prior. But nothing can compare to the loss of a family member. The Captain had everyones attention for the announcement. Captain Draper done a great job informing the passengers of the accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rumphrey family."

  • On Tour Bus Crash in Tortola – Caribbean Princess Passenger Dies, Anonymous said "I was on that cruise that took Aaron's life, and it definatley upset my week. My heart was so heavy over the thought of his dear parents losing their son on what was to be a very happy time. My heart is with his family and I will pray for them."