Independence Air Adds Service to Las Vegas

Independence Air announced Tuesday it will add twice-daily nonstop service to Las Vegas from Washington Dulles starting March 1, 2005. Las Vegas will be the 41st city serviced by the low-cost carrier.

Las Vegas is Independence Air’s first destination in the West, with additional destinations expected to be announced as the airline continues to add new Airbus aircraft to its fleet throughout the first half of this year.

Low introductory fares of $89 each way are available on the company's Web site. New service to West Palm Beach and Fort Meyers, Florida begins in February.

The low-cost airline is not faring as well as some of its competitors. While Southwest and Jet Blue report profits, Independence Air reported losses of $83 million in the third quarter of 2004 and warned it may file for bankruptcy. It was reported in USA Today that Independence Air made a bid to resume flying as United Airlines regional partner. The airline split from United when United filed for bankruptcy protection two years ago and sought to pay Flyi (Independence Airlines' parent, then Atlantic Coast Airlines) less.

written by Genevieve S. Brown