Above photo: Message taped to the Island Airlines hanger entrance…

HYANNIS – At about 2:00PM, an alert HN reader messaged, “Here’s a lead for you… Island air at this moment [is] done…. out of business…. mechanics moving tool boxes out before building is locked up. Planes being emptied.”

HN arrived at Barnstable Municipal Airport and spoke to employees who were blindsided by the sudden closure two weeks before Christmas. According to sources, about 75 employees or more suddenly learned they no longer had a job.

There were rumors of bankruptcy, but that has not been officially confirmed.

While looking to make photographs of the sad moment, HN spoke with one of the pilots who explained he was about to take off on his last flight with Island Airlines. He told HN he was taking the plane to a location up in Maine where some of the company’s aircraft will be held.

VIDEO: HN was able to capture touching moments of young airmen taking cellphone photos in front of IA aircraft. HN then captured a young pilot’s last taxi and take off and flight in an Island Airlines plane…

[Press play… Select HD in the settings and enlarge player for best quality]

More in depth Fox 25 WFXT News coverage from the 11:00PM broadcast on Friday evening (featuring HN footage from Barnstable Municipal Airport)…

HN NOTES:  Employees are still in shock about the sudden bad news so close to the Christmas holiday… but there are also many passengers who report being left in the dark after buying expensive Commuter Ticket Books.  What will happen?  Will they ever see refunds?  HN will provide updates as they become available.

12/11/2015

Robert Bastille,


Follow @NewsHyannis


P.S. – Today’s HyTown Vignette is brought to you by Don Henley… [Press play]

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