SkyEurope Files for Bankruptcy; Grounds Flights

Low-cost airline SkyEurope, headquartered in Bratislavia, declared bankruptcy yesterday and today suspended its flights, stranding passengers around the world and threatening others' vacation plans.

In response, other airlines have offered "rescue fares" for those scheduled to fly on SkyEurope. . Irish airline Ryanair is offering low one-way fares from Bratislava to Alicante, Barcelona (Girona), Brussels (Charleroi), Rome (Ciampino), Liverpool or London (Stansted). Most fares are valid until September 20.

Czech Airlines, meanwhile, is offering low rates tickets to anyone with a SkyEurope ticket purchased before August 31. Travelers should  contact the Czech Airlines Call Centre at 011-420-239-007-007, or visit a Czech Airlines sales desk at Terminals 1 and 2 at Prague Airport.

Austrian Airlines will let stranded passengers book a seat on a flight back to Austria for  discounted rates from Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Bucharest, Dubrovnik, Larnaka, Nice, Paris, Sofia and Split.