By Jon Seidel, Post-Tribune staff writer
GARY -- Skybus Airlines is cutting back on its service at the Gary/Chicago International Airport less than a week after its well-touted first flight.
Bob Tenenbaum, the airline's spokesman, said the reduction is being made because of the record-high cost of crude oil, which closed at nearly $110 a barrel Tuesday.
"It doesn't reflect in any way on the commitment to Gary," Tenenbaum said. "We do recognize that that's been an issue. That's not the case here."
Skybus announced in January that it would offer morning and evening flights, seven days a week, between Gary and Piedmont Triad International Airport near Greensboro, N.C., starting March 13.
As of April 15, according to the announcement, Skybus will offer just one flight per day.
"If you can fly one flight a day and fill it up all the time," Tenenbaum said, "you're much better off than flying two flights a day."
Skybus' daily flight out of Gary will depart at 4:23 p.m. as of April 15, Tenenbaum said.
Customers who have purchased tickets for flights after April 15 will be notified about the change in service by e-mail, according to the announcement.
They will have an option of accepting a seat on the newly scheduled flight, changing reservations to another day, or accepting a refund.
"I would anticipate, in virtually all of these cases, people will be able to be accommodated on the remaining flight on the same day," Tenenbaum said.
Chris Curry, the Gary airport's director, said he had conversations with Skybus executives about possible schedule changes before service began.
"We spoke about a week before the inaugural flight," Curry said. "They indicated that they would be doing some different things with their schedule."
However, Curry said he has also been talking to Skybus about providing direct flights from Gary to Florida beginning in September.
"Our market, from September to March, is very, very strong with Florida service," Curry said.
Tenenbaum declined to comment about the possibility of Florida service from Gary. He pointed out, though, that Skybus is adding direct service to Florida from its other cities.
VivaAerobus, a Mexican discount airline, also announced plans this month to offer daily service from Gary to Austin, Texas, Las Vegas and Monterrey, Mexico, this summer.
Before flights to Mexico begin, the airport must build a customs office to service international flights.