March Deadline for Independence Air Refunds

Feb. 23 -- Independence Air customers who paid for trips on the now defunct airline but haven't received their money back or a substitute flight have until March 31 to file a claim with bankruptcy court.

The Dulles, Va.-based airline has been in bankruptcy since Nov. 7, and stopped flying on Jan. 5. Those who don't file a claim by March 31 are forever barred from making a claim, according to U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

People who bought a flight on Independence Air for travel after Jan. 5 can fly on other airlines, which are required to honor Independence tickets until March 6. Airlines may charge up to $50 each way for standby space and charge an additional fee for a confirmed seat.

Customers who paid for their tickets with cash or a check must apply for a refund, while those who paid with a credit card should automatically receive a refund for their credit card company, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division.

Customers who bought a flight with a credit card before Nov. 7, but weren't able to travel and were told that they could apply the ticket's value to a future flight won't receive an automatic credit card refund. Those customers need to contact their credit card company or the bankruptcy court.

The Aviation Consumer Protection Division warns that filing a claim doesn't guarantee a refund and if a refund is made, it might not be for the full amount of the claim. The refund process could also take a long time.

While the airline isn't making payments on lost or damaged baggage or cargo claims right now, customers should send a copy of their claims with a completed proof of claim form to Independence Air Claims Processing, c/o Kurtzman Carson Consultants LLLC, 12910 Culver Blvd. Ste. I, Los Angeles, CA 90066.

Claim forms are available at any courthouse and www.kccllc.net/ia.

People who paid by cash or check and want a refund should submit their claim to: Independence Air, Inc.: Attention Accounting 45200 Business Ct. Dulles, VA 20166.

Those interested in filing other claims must send a signed original of a completed proof of claim and photocopies of supporting documentation like receipts and tickets to Kutzman Carson Consultants.

To contact staff writer Jennifer Ginsberg, use e-mail or call 348-5195.

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