Apple Vacations, one of the country's largest tour operators, is shutting down its airline subsidiary, USA3000, early in January, according to various reports. But unlike many other airlines, this should cause no consumer problems.
“The airline served its purpose, providing the air service needed for years to support Apple's vacation package business to Cancun and other sun-and-fun destinations,” said the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Apple founder John Mullen said it made more sense these days for the operator to use chartered aircraft from scheduled airlines.
The site added that this was not a financial failure.
“Apple is a going concern, and the shutdown is apparently a simple business decision to outsource its charter flying to other airlines rather than maintain an in-house airline operation,” it added.
Apple’s website had nothing to say about the shutdown but the airline is not accepting reservations after Jan. 6, according to media reports.
Said Smarter Travel:
“Neither Apple nor USA3000 is saying any more than absolutely necessary, but there is no reason that anyone should worry about any existing bookings or hesitate to make any new ones. The only downside—if any—is that USA3000 generally earned high marks in traveler surveys, and it's too early to say if the substitute lines will treat Apple customers as well.”
By David Wilkening
