TORONTO -- Canada 3000, the country's second-largest scheduled air
carrier, abruptly ceased operations Nov. 9 and left it to
ticketholders to find another way home.
The airline announced its closing in a three-sentence statement
near midnight Nov. 8, saying "We are ... unable to transport
passengers to their destinations and recommend that they seek
alternative methods of travel." A spokeswoman's voice mail message
Nov. 9 said the company would provide no further comment.
Earlier Nov. 8 the company had filed for bankruptcy protection
but received approval for a court-supervised restructuring of its
finances and business operations. The carrier had proclaimed itself
"very confident of its future prospects."
The shutdown happened less than eight hours later.
Canada 3000 operated flights to more than 100 destinations
worldwide, offering scheduled and chartered service within Canada
and to the U.S., the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe, Mexico, the
Caribbean, India and the South Pacific.
ARC said it has suspended its agreement with Canada 3000 and
would stop processing the airline's transactions after completion
of processing for the period ending Nov. 11.
ARC said it was "unable to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement
at this time that would permit continued processing of Canada 3000
transactions."
Meanwhile, Air Canada said Nov. 9 it will adjust its schedule as
needed to help stranded Canada 3000 passengers get to their
destinations.
Canada 3000 shut down abruptly and unexpectedly Nov. 9 and left
its customers to make their own alternative travel
arrangements.
Air Canada is not accepting Canada 3000 tickets, but said it has
reduced selected fares for stranded travelers by 50%, subject to
availability, for one-way travel to return home. Air Canada also is
touting its new no-frills, low-fare Tango brand as an option.
For Canada 3000 ticketholders who have not yet commenced travel,
Air Canada has waived advance booking restrictions on discounted
tickets, subject to availability.