AirTran Airways announces it will not apply for federal loan guarantees

ORLANDO - AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., today announced that it will not apply for federal loan guarantees offered by the Air Transportation Stabilization Board following the September 11th terrorist attacks. The deadline for applying for the federal loan guarantees is June 28, 2002.<br> <br> &#34;AirTran Airways&#39; strong business model has proven itself through these tough times and we have achieved growth through network diversification,&#34; said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways&#39; chairman and chief executive officer. &#34;We have strategically filled the air carrier void by adding service in six new cities and 23 new routes since September 11th, including Baltimore/Washington, Milwaukee, Pensacola, Rochester, Tallahassee, and Wichita,&#34; stated Leonard.<br> <br> AirTran Airways provides affordable air travel with 388 flights a day to 38 cities throughout the eastern United States. <br> <br> The airline&#39;s hub is at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, the world&#39;s busiest airport (by passenger volume), where it is the second largest carrier operating 151 flights a day. <br> <br>