Apple takes bite out of airline operations
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
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026