Skybus Airlines ceased all operations effective Saturday, April 5, 2008.
Skybus struggled to overcome the combination of rising jet fuel costs and a slowing economic environment. These two issues proved to be insurmountable for a new carrier.
Skybus Airlines is a budget airline based in Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is an ultra-low-cost carrier, modeled after the European airline Ryanair. Skybus plans the cheapest airline in the United States, with fares up to 25% cheaper than Southwest. Its business model includes advertising on the interior and exterior of its aircraft as well as selling merchandise onboard to increase revenue. Skybus will start operations on May 22, 2007.
The airline bills itself as offering $10 tickets on every flight. Bill Diffenderffer, Skybus chief executive officer, said the airline always will offer at least 10 seats at $10 on every flight.
Skybus’ initial flights – all nonstop and all on full-size Airbus A319 jets – are to start May 22 and serve:
- Los Angeles, through Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport
- Boston, through Portsmouth International Airport in Portsmouth, N.H.
- Kansas City
- Richmond, Va. (beginning May 23)
On May 29, Skybus is to add service to:
- Fort Lauderdale
- Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle through Bellingham, Wash.
- Greensboro/Winston-Salem, N.C.
On June 12, Skybus is to add:
- San Francisco, Oakland and the Bay Area, through Oakland International Airport
- a second daily nonstop flight to Los Angeles/Burbank
