Also . . .

Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Western Pacific Airlines Inc. said it is shutting down, four months after the 2 1/2-year-old low-fare carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from its creditors. The announcement came during a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Denver to determine whether the airline and its major investor, Smith Management Co., will be allowed to dispose of the airline’s assets or whether the court will appoint a trustee to liquidate it. The announcement came after New York-based Smith balked at spending more than the $23 million it has provided to keep the airline operating since December.