Skybus Airlines becomes third US carrier to announce bankruptcy in a week

Last week ended on a tough note for the US aviation industry with a third US airline, Skybus Airlines,  announcing closure of operations. Skybus' announcement came on the heels of announcements by two established US carriers, ATA Airlines and Aloha Airlines, that they were shutting down operations as well.

Earlier, on 31 March, charter airline, Champion Air announced that it too was closing down.

Skybus Airlines, a low-cost carrier, said in a message posted on its website that it "struggled to overcome the rising jet fuel costs and a slowing economic environment," but that those issues "proved to be insurmountable for a new carrier."

Skybus began operations in May 2007, with an ultra-low-cost, no-frills, entirely Internet-based operation model similar to Ryanair. It placed orders for 65 A319s in the fall of 2006 and at the time of closure was reportedly flying 13 leased aircraft to 17 destinations.

Though details were not available Skybus apparently lost $16 million during its first full quarter of operations, according to Dept of Transportation filings.