computer models used with its initial destination cities (Chattanooga, TN, for example). As part of its business model, Skybus favored smaller, cheaper airports near major markets. To serve Boston, for example, Skybus chose Portsmouth (New Hampshire) International Airport. Skybus marketed itself as an ultra-low-cost carrier, selling ten seats on each flight for $10. The low fares came with a reduction of frills. There were charges for virtually everything else (see Skybus business model), including checked baggage charges, which were later implemented by other carriers such as Delta, Northwest and United. On July 24, 2007, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted Skybus the right to fly international flights to Cancún, Mexico and Nassau, Bahamas. Two months later, the airline announced that it would begin daily service from Portsmouth to St. Augustine and Fort Myers, Florida, served by the Charlotte County Airport in Punta Gorda in December 2007. The airline made news during the Christmas 2007 travel season, when it encountered problems with two of its seven planes, resulting in the cancellation of about 25% of its scheduled service over a two-day period. As a result of not having de-icing contracts in place in advance of winter 2007–08, Skybus was forced to take significant delays and incurred thousands of dollars in additional de-icing costs. On March 24, 2008, Skybus announced that chief executive Bill Diffenderffer had resigned to return to his previous occupation as an author. Destinations As of Friday, April 4, 2008, its last day of operation, Skybus provided service to 17 destinations throughout the continental United States: From Columbus (Port Columbus International Airport): Burbank (Bob Hope Airport) Chattanooga (Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport) Chicago (Gary/Chicago International Airport) Springfield (Westover Metropolitan Airport) Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport) Gulfport/Biloxi (Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport) Kansas City (Kansas City International Airport) Milwaukee (General Mitchell International Airport) Newburgh (Stewart International Airport) Oakland (Oakland International Airport) Greensboro/High Point (Piedmont Triad International Airport) Portsmouth (Pease International Airport) Punta Gorda (Charlotte County Airport) Richmond (Richmond International Airport) St. Augustine (Northeast Florida Regional Airport) Wilmington (Wilmington-Philadelphia Regional Airport) From Greensboro/High Point (Piedmont Triad International Airport): Burbank (Bob Hope Airport) Chicago (Gary/Chicago International Airport) Chicopee (Westover Metropolitan Airport) Columbus (Port Columbus International Airport) Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport) Gulfport/Biloxi (Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport) Newburgh (Stewart International Airport) Portsmouth (Pease International Airport) Punta Gorda (Charlotte County Airport) St. Augustine (Northeast Florida Regional Airport) Wilmington (Wilmington-Philadelphia Regional Airport) Timeline Skybus conducted its inaugural flight