Skybus offering advertising on aircraft

Skybus Airlines, which expects to launch service later this spring, yesterday unveiled an A319 displaying the logo and slogan for the Columbus-based Nationwide insurance company as part of its livery. The carrier said it is "believed to be" the only US airline currently selling ad space on aircraft exteriors. It also is making interior advertising available and said Nationwide will be featured on tray tables, overhead bins and restroom doors. "Our goal is to provide outrageously low fares to our passengers," Skybus CEO Bill Diffendorfer said. "One of the ways we are able to do this is by offering both traditional and nontraditional marketing opportunities, like advertising on our planes."