JetAmerica having trouble getting off the ground

NEWARK, N.J. — A fledgling discount airline is having trouble getting off the ground.

Clearwater, Fla.-based JetAmerica issued a statement Thursday saying it’s delaying the start of flight operations a month. It cited problems securing landing and takeoff slots at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

It’s refunding about $500,000 in credit card purchases by more than 6,400 customers.

JetAmerica had planned to offer 34 flights a day starting July 13 to Newark and Minneapolis and to underserved airports in Melbourne, Fla.; Toledo, Ohio; Lansing, Mich.; and South Bend, Ind.

Its new projected start date is Aug. 14.