Aloha Airlines Shuts Down

Aloha Airlines had left some passengers stranded, still holding their bags, after the official announcement was made. Air cargo service will continue, however, nearly 1,900 employees will be affected, from the passenger operations closure.

Aloha Airgroup Inc, the parent company of Aloha Airlines Inc, has shut down all operations on Monday which employed 3,500 people. The company's sudden decision comes less than two weeks after it filed bankruptcy protection for the second time in three years.

Air cargo service will continue, however, nearly 1,900 employees will be affected, from the passenger operations closure.

Aloha Airlines had left some passengers stranded, still holding their bags, after the official announcement was made. The airline carrier said United Airlines, a unit of UAL Corp, and other airlines are prepared to assist and accommodate passengers who have been inconvenienced from the sudden shut down.

Hawaiian Airlines announced that it will honor tickets for inter-island flights on a standby basis, but only through Thursday, April 3.

Aloha advises passengers who want refunds for tickets to contact their travel agents or credit card companies. Those who paid cash will likely have to file a claim with the bankruptcy court. The carrier advises that frequent flier miles will be lost.

Aloha had blamed its inability to generate sufficient revenue from its inter-island passenger business on predatory pricing by Mesa Air Group's go! airline.

The airline, which has also been hurt by high fuel costs, offered 700 weekly inter-island flights in Hawaii and 140 flights to six west coast cities.