Braniff Inc., which has filed for bankruptcy protection twice this decade, ended its scheduled passenger service Tuesday, prepared to lay off most of its 1,800 employees and said it would focus on an expanded charter operation.
The carrier has been trying to draft a reorganization plan since Sept. 28 when it filed for protection from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code for the second time since 1982.Braniff's board of directors decided Monday to "cease all scheduled passenger service" on its remaining 47 routes but "will continue and expand its charter airline service operations," William McGee, chairman and chief executive officer of the airline, said in a statement issued early Tuesday.
McGee's statement said Braniff's remaining 1,800 employees would be notified individually of their status.
"I think it's safe to assume most of them will be laid off," Braniff spokeswoman Sandy Smith said Tuesday.
Braniff laid off 100 workers at its Orlando headquarters Friday and had laid off nearly 2,900 nationwide when it filed for Chapter 11 protection in September.