AirTran Airways Renews Major Sponsorship in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), and the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee today announced the renewal of its strategic partnership for the fourth consecutive year.

The partnership includes underwriting the YMCA Youth Sports program in the amount of $50,000. This critical funding allows thousands of local kids to attend summer camp and participate in youth sports throughout the year. The collaboration also includes again staging an immersive career education academy for YMCA kids in Milwaukee this summer.

The announcement of the partnership took place in a packed YMCA gymnasium on Milwaukee's north side. Two-time professional football champion and current Green Bay running backs coach, Edgar Bennett, spoke at the event and ran kids through football drills to help the YMCA promote youth fitness.

"AirTran Airways remains committed to helping improve the communities we serve," said Kevin Healy, AirTran Airways' senior vice president of marketing and planning. "Our investment in Milwaukee has grown along with our presence in recent years. The YMCA has been a great partner for us for several years and we are pleased to renew our support of their mission."

In 2010, more than 5,000 area kids participated in the YMCA Youth Sports program. Participants learn game fundamentals, sportsmanship, team building and self-confidence.

AirTran Airways is also bringing its popular Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy back to Milwaukee in 2011. Last year, students from the YMCA's Young Leaders Academy went through the week-long program designed to introduce careers in aviation to promising kids who might not otherwise know these jobs exist. The curriculum includes STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) training, aviation history and a tour of AirTran Airways' Atlanta operations.

The YMCA has also benefitted from additional events AirTran Airways has conducted in Milwaukee. A group of YMCA kids earned $10,000 for the organization at the unveiling of Brewers One – a Boeing 717 with a Milwaukee Brewers themed livery – by pulling the plane more than 20 feet. They earned another $10,000 for shagging balls at the AirTran Airways Media Home Run Derby with Milwaukee Brewers All-Star, Ryan Braun.

"We are very grateful to AirTran Airways for their support over the years," said Bob Yamachika, president and chief executive officer, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. "Their commitment to improving kids' lives in Milwaukee has been unwavering. What I may appreciate the most is their creative energy and enthusiasm for everything they do."

AirTran Airways is a Fortune 1000 company and has been ranked the number one low-cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past three 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: www.airtran.com.

SOURCE AirTran Airways