Jet America, the proposed Charleston-based budget airline, is no more and investors' money is being returned, according to a letter sent to investors Monday.

"Charleston needs a low-cost carrier to come to town," wrote John Weikle, a South Charleston native and the major force behind Jet America. "Unfortunately, it's not going to be Jet America."

Local investors, including the Charleston Area Alliance, the Charleston and Central West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureaus and private individuals, had raised $1.9 million -- short of the $3 million goal, according to Weikle's letter. He had also asked the state for $1 million from West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust.

"We certainly tried to raise the money here," Weikle wrote.

The money issue, coupled with the Friday closing of Skybus Airlines, which was founded by Weikle, led Weikle to cancel the project.

"Charleston is still my hometown and I care deeply about what happens here," Weikle wrote. "Perhaps someday I can bring an established low-cost airline to town."

Matt Ballard, president of the Charleston Area Alliance, said that Weikle was writing checks on Tuesday.

"The Skybus announcement has taken the wind out of our project," Ballard said. "I can't tell you how disappointed...that the Charleston Area Alliance is to see this project suspended."

For more, read Wednesday's Charleston Gazette.

Jet America, the proposed Charleston-based budget airline, is no more and investors' money is being returned, according to a letter sent to investors Monday.

"Charleston needs a low-cost carrier to come to town," wrote John Weikle, a South Charleston native and the major force behind Jet America. "Unfortunately, it's not going to be Jet America."

Local investors, including the Charleston Area Alliance, the Charleston and Central West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureaus and private individuals, had raised $1.9 million -- short of the $3 million goal, according to Weikle's letter. He had also asked the state for $1 million from West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust.

"We certainly tried to raise the money here," Weikle wrote.

The money issue, coupled with the Friday closing of Skybus Airlines, which was founded by Weikle, led Weikle to cancel the project.

"Charleston is still my hometown and I care deeply about what happens here," Weikle wrote. "Perhaps someday I can bring an established low-cost airline to town."

Matt Ballard, president of the Charleston Area Alliance, said that Weikle was writing checks on Tuesday.

"The Skybus announcement has taken the wind out of our project," Ballard said. "I can't tell you how disappointed...that the Charleston Area Alliance is to see this project suspended."

For more, read Wednesday's Charleston Gazette.