By Erik Potter, Post-Tribune staff writer
Skybus Airlines canceled back-to-back flights to Gary from Greensboro, N.C., on Wednesday night and Thursday morning after ground damage sidelined one of its planes, according to airline spokesman Bob Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum said one of Skybus' planes -- the one that would have made the flights to Gary -- suffered damage Wednesday night to its tail while on the ground in Columbus, Ohio, from the rolling stairway that passengers use to exit the craft.
The plane was grounded for repairs and inspections. Tenenbaum said that type of damage "isn't unusual."
Flights resumed Thursday evening with the 7 p.m. flight to Gary leaving Greensboro on schedule.
"It wasn't anything major, but when there's any damage at all, of course, you have to take all kinds of precautions," Tenenbaum said.
Skybus offers passengers three options when their flights are canceled or delayed more than three hours.
Passengers can wait for the next available flight, reschedule for any future flight or accept a refund.
In a pinch, however, Northwest Indiana residents stranded in Greensboro have limited options. Skybus is the only airline that flies directly to Gary; United and United Express are the only other airlines that service the Chicago area, offering five daily flights to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.
The two canceled flights are the second and third cancellations of the first 29 flights to Gary.
Earlier this week Skybus announced the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Bill Diffenderffer.
Diffenderffer, who had served in the post since 2005, was replaced on Monday by the company's Chief Financial Officer Mike Hodge.