- First Ever ACE Academy Provides Week-Long Immersion in Aviation Careers, Reinforces Airline's Ongoing Commitment to Milwaukee -

MILWAUKEE, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), wrapped the inaugural Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy in Milwaukee today with a commencement at Discovery World Museum.

More than a dozen students from the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee Young Leaders Academy graduated from the week-long program designed to introduce careers in aviation to promising students who might not otherwise know these jobs exist.

AirTran Airways' ACE Academy, a Federal Aviation Administration-approved program, included leadership and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) training, aviation history and a tour of AirTran Airways' Atlanta operations. While in Atlanta, participants had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pilot a Boeing 717 full-motion simulator and toured North America's tallest air traffic control tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

"We are excited to bring this unique educational opportunity to a group of wonderful students in Milwaukee," said Loral Blinde, senior vice president of human resources and administration, AirTran Airways. "Kids are a core focus of AirTran Airways' corporate giving in Milwaukee and other communities we serve. And who knows, we may very well be training the next generation of AirTran pilots for our new Milwaukee hub!"

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines appeared at the commencement to hand out diplomas. The YMCA kids were chosen for the ACE Academy based on essays they wrote about why they should be included in the program. AirTran Airways also announced at the event that it is sponsoring a trip for five graduates to attend an upcoming mentoring luncheon at the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals national meeting in Memphis, Tenn.

"Thanks to AirTran Airways, a number of our talented students are now inspired to consider careers in aviation," said Bob Yamachika, president and chief executive officer, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. "We remain amazed at the generosity and spirit of AirTran's Crew Members as they continue demonstrating their long-term commitment to our community."

AirTran Airways financed the program with logistical support from Discovery World, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, the EAA AirVenture Museum, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This is the first ever ACE Academy sponsored by AirTran Airways.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), 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 to offer 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.

SOURCE AirTran Airways

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