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

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

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

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

Citing rising fuel costs and the economic downturn, SkybusAirlines ceased operations and cancelled all flights as of April5.