PEOPLExpress Airlines (2nd) (Newport News/Williamsburg) today (September 26) announced that it is temporarily suspending service effective immediately and plans to re-launch on or about October 16.

The airline stated; “Recent aircraft and crew availability and maintenance issues, including an aircraft recently damaged by a vendor’s truck, an engine change and a lack of a planned spare aircraft, have made it challenging to operate a full schedule, preventing us from delivering the passenger experience we are striving for.”

The airline is currently processing refunds for passengers for flights booked through October 15, which will take five to seven business days. For reservations beyond October 15, passengers will receive a notification by e-mail as soon as our service resumption plans are in place.

According to the airline, PEOPLExpress successfully served 55,000 passengers on 817 flights since launching service on June 30, demonstrating the need for additional nonstop air service to underserved markets as a result of airline industry consolidation.

PEOPLExpress still intends to launch previously announced service to Orlando and Charleston, West Virginia starting on October 16.

Meanwhile JetBlue Airways has offered to help any stranded passengers. For those PEOPLExpress customers previously scheduled to fly within existing JetBlue markets (Boston – New Orleans, Tampa or West Palm Beach; Newark – Tampa or West Palm Beach) between September 26 and October 5, call JetBlue at 1-800-JETBLUE to explore alternate travel options.

Copyright Photo: PEOPLExpress. The Boeing 737-400s are operated by Vision Airlines.