So you’re ticketed on Indy Air . . .

By Don Nadeau, on January 4, 2006, in Travel

Independence Air plans to cease operations tomorrow evening due to a lack of money. As it heads deeper into bankruptcy, it’s asking for court permission to refund fares, but that may not be possible.
Whether you’re ticketed on Indy Air or some similar carrier in the future, you should know the following:
U.S. transportation law requires other airlines to offer stand-by transportation to passengers holding valid tickets on airlines, such as Independence Air, that cease operations due to lack of funds. They must permit you to travel as close to your original reservation dates as possible.
If holding a ticket for an airline no longer operating, you need to use an airline serving the same origin and destination (but not necessarily the same airports) as on your original ticket, but you can connect via another airport than what is on your ticket or fly nonstop. Your new airline may charge a ticketing fee of up to $50, and require you to travel within 60 days of your original airline ceasing service.
This law requiring other airlines to help seems rather unfair to airlines that have acted more financially responsibly. We’re not complaining, but other airlines certainly have a point that the unrealistic fares charged by carriers on a fast track to bankruptcy foster future bankruptcies. Perhaps it’s time to hold consumers more responsible for their airline ticket purchasing decisions.