Jetsgo advised customers to make alternative arrangements before heading to the airport since there would be no Jetsgo staff or planes available while the airline seeks bankruptcy-court protection. Travelers who are already away were told their return tickets were no good and to make other arrangements to get back home.
''Obviously this is one of the worst times it could have happened because of the March break,'' said federal Transportation Minister Jean Lapierre, who urged other airlines and the national train system to try to add more capacity to move some 17,000 stranded passengers.
The privately held company issued the stunning announcement shortly after midnight on Friday. It is asking Quebec Superior Court to grant it protection from creditors.
The shutdown comes at the start of March break for many school systems across Canada, when hordes of families flock to Florida, Mexico and other hot spots served by the airline in one of the busiest travel times of the year.
Jetsgo said that difficult market conditions and competitive pressures led the company to discontinue operations and ground all of its planes.
Air Canada spokeswoman Laura Cooke said the timing of Jetsgo's failure would make it tough to find seats for extra passengers.
''Obviously, the problem at this time of year is that the aircraft are already flying rather full because ... of March break,'' Cooke said.
Jetsgo had at least 18 flights scheduled to leave Toronto's Pearson's Airport _ Canada's transport hub _ on Friday morning, including domestic, U.S. and Mexican destinations.
