AirTran to add 2,500 jobs in Georgia over next five years

<p>AirTran Airways announced Friday it will add 2,500 jobs in Georgia over the next five years.</p><p>The airline, which is based in Orlando, Fla., but has its hub in Atlanta, said the job growth will come as it adds new domestic routes and more than 80 new Boeing 737s to its fleet over the next five years.</p><p>"As a company that has thrived in Georgia, AirTran Airways is proud of our strong and growing contribution to the state's economy," AirTran CEO Joe Leonard said.</p><p>While older airlines have struggled since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, discount carrier AirTran has continued to grow and post at least small profits. Yet officials have complained that it has struggled to earn Georgia's attention in the shadows of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, the nation's third-largest carrier.</p><p>When lawmakers considered a $28 million tax break meant for bankrupt Delta earlier this year, AirTran officials contended that at least part of the break should be aimed at AirTran. Lobbyists and company executives worked to remind lawmakers that 5,200 of the airline's 7,700 crew members are based in Georgia.</p><p>Legislators failed to reach a compromise, and the plan failed on the last day of the legislative session.</p><p>At the announcement Friday, Gov. Sonny Perdue said the airline's growth demonstrates that Georgia has the resources for businesses to expand. "This airline is setting the standard for profitability in the aviation industry, and it is showing tremendous confidence that it will continue to thrive in Georgia," he said.</p><p>AirTran is the second-largest carrier at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>HASH(0x1cd9fcc)</p>