Dominican airline Aeromar, which ceased its operations earlier this month due to severe financial problems, has left 6,000 travelers with paid tickets but no flight home for Christmas. El Caribe reports that many were not given any warning of the predicament and are now unable to obtain alternative flights. With little hope for immediate refunds many lack the resources to purchase an additional airline ticket, many lack the resources to purchase an additional airline ticket. December is the busiest time for air travel between US cities such as New York and the Dominican Republic – routes that were served by the airline. Aeromar had reportedly sold a healthy 5,000 tickets for the period 17-30 December, despite its financial woes. Fernando Jimenez, general director of Aeromar, told the newspaper that the airline had not gone bust but had suspended operations for two months while seeking a solution to its financial crisis. He gave customers a phone number they could call in case of any queries (1-800-755-8028), but said that those seeking a refund should go to their travel agents. For their part, travel agents contacted by reporters claimed that in many cases payments had already been deposited in Aeromar’s account.