GLO Airlines is seeking bankruptcy protection less than a year after offering nonstop service from Huntsville International Airport to New Orleans.
The Louisiana regional public charter operator announced its decision to reorganize this morning in a news release. The company said its direct air carrier/aircraft operator has "failed on its contractual obligations to deliver quality performance and solid management of GLO's program to provide air service to chosen markets."
"After raising serious concerns over its performance and business practices, rather than find solutions, the air carrier unilaterally terminated its contract to operate GLO's program and fly passengers," the company said. "This entirely unjustified action has put GLO's operations and the financial health of many of GLO's partners at risk."
GLO said bankruptcy protection allows the company to "reorganize the business, protect jobs, and continue to fly." Spokesman Jordan Mitchell said the reorganization is underway.
"We plan to offer our full schedule between now and the 27th," he told AL.com. "We are hopeful to have more information for you tomorrow while we continue to move towards a solution that will get us back flying a full schedule just as soon as practicable."
Trey Fayard, GLO Founder & CEO, said they are taking this step now "because we value our customers too much to provide inferior service."
"It was a difficult decision, but a necessary one to protect everyone involved," he said. "We look forward to promptly and successfully emerging from reorganization in the near future."
GLO, which recently testified before the U.S. House of Representative's Subcommittee on Aviation, has been in operation only 18 months and provides nonstop flights between regional markets in the Gulf South.
The carrier gathered at Huntsville International Airport last August with former Gov. Robert Bentley, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong and other north Alabama business leaders to announce the Huntsville market would be the fifth U.S. city where GLO would provide nonstop service to New Orleans.
The first Huntsville flight was sold out ahead of its Sept. 30 departure.
AL.com has contacted GLO and the Port of Huntsville for additional details.