JetAmerica To Take off With $9 Fares*

Remember Skybus, the Columbus-based airline known for $10 seats that went bankrupt about a year ago because of high fuel prices and what was then referred to as the “economic slowdown”?

Well, the airline’s founder is trying again, this time with JetAmerica, an ultra-low-cost carrier gearing up to start flying in July. According to Ben Mutzabaugh’s Today in the Sky blog, promotional fares will be as low as $9 each way and regular fares will start at about $69.

USA Today’s Dan Reed reports that the carrier will begin flying on July 13 between Newark Liberty and Toledo, Ohio; South Bend, Indiana; Lansing, Michigan; and Melbourne-Vero Beach, Florida.

Why now? JetAmerica CEO John Weikle explained that with so many airlines cutting flights, it’s a good time to be a start-up. He went on to say that “JetAmerica’s plan is to fill the gap left by big, high-cost legacy airlines that have trimmed or eliminated services in many markets.”

After a year of bankruptcies and capacity cuts, reports of a new carrier stand out. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more. In the meantime, what do you think? Will JetAmerica’s service be useful to you? Do you think the airline has a chance in the current economy?