MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Hooters Airlines said it's stopping regularly scheduled air service.

The airline said it will stop its public charter flights April 17 and will run only private charters out of Winston-Salem, N.C.

President Mark Peterson said Hooters Air will serve large groups such as sports teams and tour groups. Peterson said some of the airline's 350 workers will be laid off in Winston-Salem. About five workers in Myrtle Beach are being laid off.

Hooters started service between Myrtle Beach and Atlanta in 2003.

It was serving 15 locations last July. But the airline began canceling holiday flights in December. It stopped most flights in January but said at the time that it would resume service to Myrtle Beach in the spring.

The Sun News reported that high fuel prices and other challenges in the airline industry brought the flights to an end.

The paper reported that even though the airline has failed, Hooters the company has been successful in other businesses -- including a Hooters credit card, magazine and a hotel and casino in Las Vegas. About 80 new Hooters restaurants will open this year, 60 in international locations, The Sun News reported.