AirTran Airways' Statement Regarding Flight 501.

Business, News & Travel Editors

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), today released a statement regarding flight 501. AirTran Airways' flight 501 departed Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport at 9:25 a.m. this morning en route to Miami International Airport with 81 passengers and 5 crew members onboard. As the aircraft reached an altitude of 18,000 feet, a male passenger, who appeared to be in his thirties, got out of his seat while the fasten seatbelt sign was still illuminated. One of the flight attendants onboard intercepted the passenger and asked him to be seated. The passenger insisted on speaking with the captain in the cockpit. The flight attendant asked the passenger to sit down immediately which he then did. The flight attendant notified the captain, and the flight proceeded to Miami without further incident arriving on schedule at 11:15 a.m. At no time was the safety of the flight jeopardized. As a precautionary measure, the captain advised Miami authorities of the situation. The passenger was detained for questioning and AirTran Airways is cooperating fully with authorities.