Direct Air shuts down until at least May 15

It's just getting worse for Direct Air customers. The only air carrier to serve Worcester Regional Airport has cancel all its flights through at least May 15, the company announced today.

Here is the company's statement posted to its website:

"Direct Air finds it necessary to suspend flight operation from Tuesday, March 13, 2012 until May 15, 2012. This decision was made to address operational matters. We are currently evaluating strategic alternatives for Direct Air.

Very Truly Yours,
Direct Air"

In other words, they are not going to deal with consumers and going to make them dispute charges for non-service. What the statement doesn't address is all the people they sucked into paying them upfront for either their Friends and Family vouchers (Disclosure: I bought a pair for my in-laws) or the club-like arrangement they recently set up.

Direct Air has exhibited all the indications of a cash-strapped operation and unfortunately, spring vacation is messed up for thousands now because of it. When the top executives of the company told me how upsetting it was for them to hear the doubts of New Englanders, it's pretty clear whose radar was working. New England consumers could smell the weakness of the company and the company protested a wee bit too much.

Now that it's clear who was right, everyone's a loser - all the people whose vacation plans are in a shambles (you can't code share a charter flight) and have to start all over - and certainly Direct Air. If that outfit every came back to life it would have to a no reservation pay-as-you-go service since no one would trust them with their money.