Airline shuts down, ends Daytona-to-Bahamas flights

DAYTONA BEACH — Another airline has suspended scheduled commercial flights out of Daytona Beach International Airport.

Vintage Props & Jets, based in New Smyrna Beach, announced Friday it has ceased operations and cancelled its twice-a-day flights between Daytona Beach and the Bahamas. The airline has served the Bahamas from Daytona Beach since 1999 and from other Florida cities for 16 years. It also cancelled Saturday flights from Jacksonville to Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, with a stop in Daytona Beach.

Higher fuel and operating costs are to blame, according to information posted on the company Web site, www.vpj.com. Persons holding reservations will be mailed travel vouchers. Names and contact information of possible substitute carriers also are posted.

The company was working with a potential buyer last week, but the deal fell through late Friday. Officials may file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganize to resume operation, company president Tom Crevasse wrote online.

AirTran Airways ceased operations in Daytona Beach International Airport in May and Continental Airlines has informed airport officials that it will stop its flights here on Sept.2.

news-journalonline.com