No Commercial Flights at Indianapolis International Today

Commercial Airlines Work to Resume Flight Schedules

Indianapolis--Sept. 12--Indianapolis International Airport said there would be no commercial flights operating for the remainder of the day. An airport spokesman said because air travel would have to be phased in across the nation, he was uncertain as to when air travel in and out of Indianapolis might resume.

Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta said today the Federal Aviation Administration would allow a limited reopening of the nation's commercial airspace system in order to allow flights that were diverted yesterday to continue to their original destinations.

The Secretary also announced that the FAA is temporarily extending the ground stop order imposed yesterday while additional security measures are being completed.

"Safety is always of paramount importance, and in these extraordinary times we intend to be vigilant," Mineta said. "We remain committed to resuming commercial flights as soon as possible.

Mineta said the FAA would permit flights today only in special limited circumstances. Flights diverted as a result of yesterday's order will be allowed to continue to their original destination under vastly tightened security guidelines. Only passengers on the original flights will be allowed to re-board, and only after airports and airlines have implemented strict screening measures. Airlines will also be allowed to reposition empty aircraft, he said.

In Evansville, a limited flight schedule was expected to resume this afternoon.

Air travelers were advised to confirm their flight is operating before going to their airport. ATA (American Trans Air Inc.) cancelled all scheduled flights through 6 p.m. today, but said the time would be subject to change.

Midway Airlines announced today that it would go out of business. The airline said it is taking the action to preserve the value available for Midway's interest holders and with the recognition that following the recent terrorist attacks demand for air transportation is expected to decline sharply.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) confirmed that it will not resume scheduled service again on Thursday.

Southwest said it was working to begin service at the earliest practical time that allows for compliance with U.S. Government security directives and Southwest Airlines' own Customer Service and operational procedures.

Late Wednesday, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) said it was in compliance with all new Federal Aviation Administration security procedures, although the airline had not yet received clearance from the U.S. government to resume operations Thursday, Sept. 13. As a result, Continental said it would suspended all regularly scheduled flights on Thursday.

The airline industry is losing an estimated $250 million of revenue each day that planes sit idle, according to an industry analyst.

Major airlines as a group were already expected to lose $3.5 billion to $4 billion this year.

Robert Mann, head of R.W. Mann & Co. in Port Washington, N.Y., said the unprecedented Federal Aviation Administration grounding of all commercial airlines Tuesday has cut revenue to zero.