ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 528 ("Local 528"), today announced the successful membership ratification by an overwhelming margin of a new 48-month collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covers approximately 400 AirTran Airways mechanics and inspectors in Atlanta, Orlando, Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, and Milwaukee.

"AirTran Airways and Local 528 have established a model labor/management relationship over the past 12 years," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways chairman, president and chief executive officer. "The leadership of Local 528, the IBT stewards, and AirTran Airways' mechanics and inspectors have been an important part of the success AirTran Airways has achieved."

The agreement includes improved wages, benefits and working conditions and became effective October 1, 2009, which was the amendable date of the previous four-year agreement. AirTran Airways and Local 528 have now negotiated four successful collective bargaining agreements on or before the amendable date of the previous agreement -- an accomplishment rarely achieved in airline collective bargaining agreements.

"Our members are deserving of these improvements. They work hard, are very productive and they enjoy what they do," said Don Toney, President of Local 528. "We are very pleased that we could negotiate a new agreement so quickly and professionally that not only rewards our members for their contributions but also will enable AirTran Airways to remain an efficient and competitive low-cost carrier. When AirTran Airways wins in the marketplace, our members also win."

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., (NYSE: AAI) and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years. AirTran is the only major airline with Wi-Fi on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. Its low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.com.

    Media Contacts:  AirTran Airways
                     Christopher White
                     Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas
                     678.254.7442

                     Teamsters Local 528
                     John Mays
                     404.627.7351

SOURCE AirTran Airways

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