Skybus may drop West Coast cities

On Friday, Columbus-based Skybus accidentally posted to its website plans to drop two West Coast cities in 2008, reports The Columbus Dispatch. Service to San Diego and Bellingham, Washington, is likely to end in March, to be replaced by additional flights to Greensboro, North Carolina, and Punta Gorda, Florida. Skybus also plans to drop one of its two daily flights to Burbank.

The news does not necessarily indicate that the low-fare carrier, which routinely sells fares starting at $10, is in financial trouble. The Dispatch reports, “while the West Coast routes have had strong bookings, Skybus makes more money on shorter flights. Skybus also has to make do with a limited number of planes—seven by year’s end and nine by March.” Airline consultant Doug Abbey expects Skybus to return to its West Coast routes eventually.

Currently, Skybus is selling flights through March 8, so the service changes will likely occur once the airline extends its schedule further into spring.