Airline halts Bellingham service

  • Associated Press
  • Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:09pm
  • Business

BELLINGHAM — High fuel prices are forcing Skybus Airlines to halt service to Bellingham, the airline said Tuesday.

The Columbus, Ohio-based carrier will fly its last Bellingham-Columbus run on Jan. 5. Travelers with tickets for later dates will get refunds.

“The price of fuel definitely is the thing that pushed it over the edge,” airline spokesman Bob Tenenbaum said. “It’s not something anybody anticipated. The passenger loads have been excellent.”

Fuel costs are forcing Skybus, which began service here May 29, to change strategy. With just five aircraft, the company is concentrating on destinations in the East, closer to the Columbus hub, Tenenbaum said.

Skybus will also eliminate one of its two Columbus-Burbank, Calif., flights in January, and drop San Diego-Columbus service in March. Aircraft that had served those destinations will be used to expand Skybus service to North Carolina and Florida, he said.

Skybus started service last spring, garnering publicity with $10 fares available for the first 10 seats booked on each flight. While last-minute fares are considerably higher, Skybus ticket prices are generally well below other carriers. The airline captured more revenue with extra charges for assigned seats, checked bags and food and beverages.

Tenenbaum said Skybus is still growing, and could add West Coast destinations, including possibly Bellingham, as its fleet expands.

“There are no current plans to resume the service,” he said. “But we would definitely not rule it out. The situation’s going to change and the fleet’s going to get bigger.”

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