COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thousands of passengers have called into their financial institutions requesting ticket refunds after Skybus Airlines here, the latest in a string of recent carrier collapses, closed shop on April 5.

The $72 million Midstate Educators Credit Union was among those that handled an onslaught of calls from members needing help with the reimbursement process, the Columbus Dispatch reported today. Customers at JPMorgan Chase, Fifth Third and other banks that issue credit cards have also seen a steady increase in calls for refunds, the article noted

“We moved two individuals who normally work in the back office up to the front line to respond to the inquiries,” Danielle Chatfield-Beres, community affairs director for Midstate Educators, told the publication. “We had quite a few members who needed to help us simplify the [reimbursement] process.”

On its Web site, the $1 billion Wright-Patt CU has informed members that if they purchased Skybus tickets with their credit union credit and debit cards, they can either file a dispute online through its eZCardInfo link or call the member help center.

Citing rising fuel costs and the economic downturn, Skybus Airlines ceased operations and cancelled all flights as of April 5.