ORLANDO, Fla., April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI - News), today announced that the airline has converted purchase options to firm orders for fourteen new Boeing 737-700 series aircraft for delivery in 2008 and exercised purchase rights for ten more of the same aircraft type for delivery in 2010. This exercise completes the airline's original order of 100 aircraft placed with Boeing in 2003. The airline currently operates 26 Boeing 737-700 series aircraft and 85 Boeing 717-200 aircraft -- making it the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717 and the airline with youngest all-Boeing fleet in America.
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"AirTran Airways' long-standing partnership with The Boeing Company has enabled us to build a world-class aircraft fleet that is unparalleled in the aviation industry," commented Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer. "The Boeing 737 has set a new standard for commercial jet transport, allowing us to increase efficiency and enhance our service for the consumer."
"Orders by highly successful low-cost carriers such as AirTran Airways continue to validate the value of the Next-Generation 737 to cost-conscious airlines," said Alan Mulally, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. "As AirTran Airways continues to grow, the Next-Generation 737s will continue to contribute to the airlines' bottom line with reliable, efficient and economical service."
The Boeing 737 is the world's most popular jet aircraft. The AirTran Airways' Boeing 737 seats 137 passengers and is equipped with premium Recaro seats in the airline's signature two-by-two award-winning Business Class (12 seats) and coach seats (125 seats). Similar to the Boeing 717, the Boeing 737 aircraft features EasyFit overhead bins with plenty of storage space for passengers' carry-on bags.
AirTran Airways, a Fortune 1000 company and one of America's largest low-fare airlines with 7,000 friendly, professional Crew Members, operates over 600 daily flights to 50 destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it is the second largest carrier. For reservations or more information, visit
http://www.airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).
That prob means AirTran will continue to hiring people. Which is good news.
edik