Not such a happy new year for some troubled airlines

2005 is not a happy new year for several airlines facing financial woes. Here are a few of the airlines that are experiencing difficulties in the new year and a brief synopsis of their struggles:

US Airways - currently under bankruptcy protection, compounded by a lost baggage fiasco involving thousands of lost/misplaced luggage over the holiday travel period.

Aloha Airlines - has filed for bankruptcy protection, announced at the end of 2004.

United Airlines - remains in bankruptcy protection, thousands of employees threaten strike actions over reduced pensions and other reduced benefits.

Passengers of these airlines are protected under the passenger protection ticket act which was renewed through November of 2005. Under the act, should an airline liquidate, passengers are able to rebook on another airline (with lots of stipulations and restrictions). This is not the predicament of the above airlines currently, however for 2005 passengers can rest assured that if an airline goes entirely belly-up that they do have options for travel.