AirTran Airways Reports December and 2010 Year-End Traffic

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today reported December and full-year 2010 traffic. The low-cost leader recorded all-time annual records for available seat miles, load factor and enplaned passengers.

For December, AirTran Airways' traffic increased 2.7 percent to more than 1.5 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) on a 1.1 percent rise in available seat miles (ASMs). The number of enplaned passengers jumped 1.5 percent to over 2 million.

For the fourth quarter, traffic increased 4.5 percent to more than 4.7 billion RPMs on a 0.9 percent rise in ASMs. The airline's load factor increased 2.8 points to 80.6 percent and the number of enplaned passengers jumped 3.5 percent to over 6 million.

For 2010, AirTran Airways' traffic increased 5.3 percent to more than 19.5 billion RPMs on a 3.3 percent rise in ASMs. The airline's load factor climbed 1.6 points to 81.4 percent, and the number of enplaned passengers increased 3.0 percent to over 24 million. Each of these figures represent all-time records for the airline.

In addition to these traffic milestones, AirTran Airways also posted its best operational performance in the airline's history in 2010. This stellar accomplishment includes an industry leading on-time arrival mark of 82.7 percent. Despite the impact of severe winter storms occurring on the two busiest days of the month, AirTran finished December with a 98.6 percent completion percentage (the percentage of flights completed), ending the year with a completion percentage of 98.9 percent. The airline also continued its industry leading and new record low mishandled baggage rates of less than two bags per 1,000 passengers.

"Congratulations to our Crew Members for posting such incredible numbers in 2010," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways' chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Record traffic is an accomplishment on its own. To post these types of numbers while also running among the best operational airline in the business is a tremendous feat and a true indication of the type of Crew Members we have working at AirTran Airways."

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 Airways is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet 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