Independence Air stops flying

For the past week there have been rumblings that low-fare Independence Air might pack it in. Now, the rumors have become reality.

The Washington Dulles-based discount airline says it will cease operations on Thursday, January 5. All flights scheduled to depart after 7pm that evening are cancelled.

If you have a round-trip reservation for a flight scheduled to depart before operations cease, and were scheduled to return after January 5, Independence Air says they will contact you and give you an opportunity to return before the shutdown of service. All change fees will be waived for changes made by telephone. If that doesn’t fit with your plans, the discount airline is petitioning the bankruptcy court (Independence Air is currently under Chapter 11) to approve automatic refunds for return flights that are not rescheduled.

However, if you’re flying on a free ticket or a voucher, forget it. There will be no refund.