Grounded DownUnder: Air Australia shuts down

Australian-based international and domestic carrier, Air Australia has shut down its operations, forcing somewhere in the neighbourhood of 4,000 passengers to scramble to make alternate air arrangements. The carrier’s closing came today (Feb. 17, 2012) when it appointed a voluntary administrator. Following that move, Air Australia’s fleet has been grounded and in a statement on its web site, it said: “it currently appears that there are no funds available to meet operational expenses so flights will be suspended immediately.” And added that “it also appears highly unlikely there will be any flights in the short to medium term.” Additional information is available at http://www.airaustralia.com .