Complain about a product or service

Independence Air Hits a Downdraft

December 7, 2004
Independence Air started service this year with a burst of enthusiasm and rave reviews from passengers. But already the Dulles-based low-fare airline is struggling to maintain altitude.

Independence Air • Consumer Complaints • Defenders --- News #149; Final Boarding Call For Independence Air • Independence Air Warns Employees the End Is Near • Independence Air Is Bankrupt • Flyi Drops JFK, West Coast Flights • IA's Big Fine Isn't Its First • Independence Air Faces $1.5 Million Fine for Safety Violations • Independence Air's Losses Mount • Independence Air Cuts Fleet to Stay Airborne • Repo Man Visits Independence Air • Independence Air Hits a Downdraft

Biggest problem? Ticket sales are slow. The airline sold only 52 percent of its available seats in November, a slightly worse showing than October.

Most industry analysts say a healthy airline usually sells 70 percent of its available seats.

Company officials refuse to show concern, pointing out that Thanksgiving ticket sales were "excellent," but that travel early in the month was less than expected. The airline also increased the number of seats it had to sell last month, initiating daily service between Washington and Tampa and Orlando, using two 132-seat Airbus A319 aircraft.

Other problems loom on the horizon however. The parent company, Flyi, Inc., has said it would file for bankruptcy protection if it is unable to arrange new lease terms before a scheduled $83 million payment comes due next month.

Some large stockholders are unhappy with the airline's progress and want it to try to get back into the regional feeder business. The company previously flew feeder flights for United.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2009 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.