AirTran Airways Increases Flights to Business Centers and Adds Popular Vacation Destinations From Milwaukee Hub

MILWAUKEE, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On the day of its annual shareholders' meeting in Milwaukee, AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), announced several new flights from its hub at General Mitchell International Airport.

The low-cost leader will add a third daily flight from Milwaukee to Boston this July and a fourth daily flight to Washington/Reagan National this October. AirTran Airways is also introducing new, nonstop flights to New Orleans in October and Sarasota/Bradenton, Fla., in November. The airline is also returning seasonal service to Phoenix and Fort Lauderdale in November.

"From north to south, east to west, we are building a route network in Milwaukee that will be more convenient for business travelers," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways' chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We are also introducing service to two great vacation destinations (New Orleans and Sarasota) while bringing back seasonal flights to two of the most popular getaways (Phoenix and Fort Lauderdale) from Milwaukee."

Service to Sarasota/Bradenton and New Orleans mark the 19th and 20th cities AirTran Airways serves from General Mitchell. Last year the airline grew more than 60 percent in Milwaukee while opening pilot and flight attendant bases at the airport and serving more than 1.8 million passengers.

"I'm pleased that AirTran Airways views the region as a viable market and has chosen to expand its Milwaukee service," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "Competitive air travel is an important economic driver for our region and Milwaukee travelers will benefit from AirTran's ongoing commitment to Milwaukee."

The following nonstop flights between Milwaukee and Boston will be available beginning July 7, 2010:

The following nonstop flights between Milwaukee and Washington/Reagan National will be available beginning October 7, 2010:

The following nonstop flights between Milwaukee and New Orleans will be available beginning October 7, 2010:

The following nonstop flights between Milwaukee and Sarasota/Bradenton will be available beginning November 18, 2010:

The following nonstop flights between Milwaukee and Phoenix will be available beginning November 18, 2010:

The following nonstop flights between Milwaukee and Fort Lauderdale will be available beginning November 4, 2010:

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 and is the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Market Leadership Award from Air Transport World.  AirTran Airways 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. Our 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.

SOURCE AirTran Airways