- Low Cost Carrier Continues Island Expansion -

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today launched new service between Atlanta and Aruba, offering one nonstop flight each week. On January 9, 2010, the airline will also introduce weekly nonstop flights between Orlando and Aruba.

Service to the popular vacation destination will join existing flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cancun, Mexico, and most recently, Nassau, Bahamas, and Key West, Fla. In February, the low cost airline will continue its Caribbean expansion with flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

"Bringing our low fares and high-quality service to the Caribbean is a priority for AirTran Airways. Offering new service to Aruba is one more step in that direction," said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. "Travelers in Atlanta and Orlando will benefit from the nonstop service, and customers from all over the country can make just one stop to get to their vacation in paradise."

"Speaking for everyone in Aruba's tourism industry, we are delighted to welcome AirTran Airways as our newest airline partner. By increasing the opportunity for more Americans to discover our island's unique pleasures and year-round perfect weather, this new direct service from Atlanta will benefit not only our visitors but the people of Aruba, for whom tourism is so important," said Otmar Oduber, Aruba's Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor. "The special character of a vacation in Aruba has helped us maintain a repeat visitor rate of over 60 percent - the highest in the Caribbean - and we are pleased that partners like AirTran Airways are helping us make those enriching experiences accessible from more gateway cities across North America."

The following nonstop flights between Atlanta and Aruba will be available beginning December 19, 2009:

Nonstop Service Between Atlanta and Aruba

    From      To      Flight    Departs    Arrives   Frequency
    ----      ---     ------    -------    -------   ---------
    Atlanta   Aruba     1491   10:20 a.m. 3:15 p.m.    Sat
    Aruba     Atlanta   1492   4:00 p.m.  7:15 p.m.    Sat

The following nonstop flights between Orlando and Aruba will be available beginning February 13, 2010:

Nonstop Service Between Orlando and Aruba

    From      To      Flight    Departs    Arrives   Frequency
    ----      ---     ------    -------    -------   ---------
    Orlando   Aruba     1494   11:15 a.m. 3:23 p.m.    Sat
    Aruba     Orlando   1495   4:23 p.m.  6:35 p.m.    Sat

Following is a sample of introductory fares* AirTran Airways will offer for its new flights to/from Aruba. Fares listed are one way and are valid in either direction:

                           Introductory
    Destination                Fares
    -----------            ------------
    Atlanta                    $119
    Orlando                     $99

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 http://www.airtran.com.

*Sale Fare Terms & Conditions: All fares are one-way. All fares are non-refundable and a $75 fee per person applies to any change made after purchase, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Seven-day advance purchase required. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Tickets must be purchased by January 2, 2010. Sale fares are valid for travel January 9, 2010 through March 10, 2010. Blackout dates are as follows: February 12-13, 2010, February 15, 2010, and February 20-21, 2010. A first bag may be checked for a fee of up to $15 per person and a second bag may be checked for a fee of up to $25 per person. Reservations may be obtained or changed through an AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for an additional $15 per person. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares shown do not include Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18. The September 11th security fee of up to $10 is not included. Fares to/from Aruba do not include additional government taxes of up to $100.

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

SOURCE AirTran Airways

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