Air Australia suspends service

SYDNEY, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Some 4,000 passengers were stranded Friday when Air Australia announced it had run out of money and grounded its fleet.

Passengers were stranded in Hawaii, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia as a result of the decision, CNN reported. An administrator said flights were suspended early Friday after the company was unable to pay for fuel for a flight departing from Phuket, Thailand, the Brisbane Times reported.

"It currently appears that there are no funds available to meet operational expenses so flights will be suspended immediately," the budget airline said. "It also appears highly unlikely there will be any flights in the short- to medium term."

Passengers were advised to make alternative arrangements. The airline had sold about 100,000 tickets for future flights.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd said his office was working with consulates and to help stranded passengers. He said Qantas and other airlines were trying to help stranded passengers get back to Australia.