For Maxjet, skies are cloudy

What’s with Maxjet? And more importantly, what’s with Maxjet’s future?

What we know is that the carrier, which operates 34 weekly all-business-class flights between the U.S. and London’s Stansted Airport, abruptly halted trading of its stock last Friday. There was no reason given for the suspension, according to an Associated Press report, just a vague acknowledgement that the suspension was “pending clarification of its financial position.”

In the intervening week, Maxjet has added nothing that would help the traveling public assess the carrier’s future prospects. A vacuous news release posted on the airline’s website simply thanks customers for their support and assures them that flights will continue uninterrupted: “We look forward to serving our customers during the busy Christmas season, in 2008 and beyond.” Under the circumstances, potential customers need and deserve more.

The question facing consumers is a stark one: Book Maxjet, or not? There is clearly increased risk that the airline will be forced to cut back or suspend operations. On the other hand, avoiding Maxjet could nudge the company into insolvency.

However, until the company fully explains its current situation and its plans to regain financial stability, transatlantic flyers have little choice but to protect themselves and choose a different airline.

No matter how serious Maxjet’s problems may be, denial and obfuscation will only make matters worse.