AirTran Airways Praises Leadership of Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox; Florida Elected Officials Demonstrate Confidence in the Airline.

Business & Travel Editors

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2001

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), today praised the leadership of Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox and the governmental and business leaders in Tallahassee, Tampa, Miami and Pensacola for their innovative efforts to bring competitive, low-fare air service to Florida. These long-term revenue guaranteed programs demonstrate the confidence of these leaders in AirTran Airways and its future.

AirTran Airways recently announced new service from its Atlanta hub to both Pensacola and Tallahassee. In addition, AirTran Airways announced new intra-Florida nonstop service between Tallahassee and Tampa, Tampa and Miami and one-stop service between Tallahassee and Miami beginning in November 2001.

Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer, noted that: "AirTran Airways' low cost structure provides the foundation for weathering the current downturn in the industry. With the cooperation of our Crew Member-employees, AirTran Airways will continue to provide affordable air service to consumers across our system."

Following the Florida service announcements, Leonard reacted to a recent news article speculating on the state of the industry. Listed below are several reasons why Leonard believes AirTran Airways is well positioned for the future:

-- AirTran Airways has one of the best cash-to-revenue ratios in the industry

-- AirTran Airways was one of a handful of airlines projected to be profitable
in the third and fourth quarters of 2001

-- AirTran Airways has a high cash balance for an airline of its size

-- AirTran Airways will get its fair share of cash from the federal government
under the recently enacted legislation

-- AirTran Airways operates a fleet of smaller aircraft which are ideally
suited for the current environment

-- AirTran Airways operates 24 Boeing 717 aircraft - which is highly fuel
efficient and has both low plane mile as well as low seat mile costs

-- AirTran Airways worked with its Crew Members to take the fastest action in
the industry to reduce payroll costs by approximately 20 percent by reaching
agreements with its unions representing pilots and mechanics and avoiding
layoffs

-- AirTran Airways costs are much more variable than any of the major airlines
and consequently, AirTran Airways can reduce non-labor costs faster than any
other airline

-- AirTran Airways has entered into, and expects to continue to negotiate,
partnerships such as those mentioned yesterday in Tallahassee with other small
communities in its system

Leonard noted that "those very elements that have provided AirTran Airways with ten consecutive profitable quarters remain in place" and that the "aggressive self-help cash conservation steps that AirTran Airways has taken will provide the bridge to protect the airline in this current economic downturn."

"AirTran Airways has a significant amount of cash and the out-of-pocket cash flow is minimal and well within our ability to manage. In fact, we believe we are in a much better position to weather this storm and return to profitability than others in the industry," states Leonard.

Systemwide, AirTran Airways operates departures to 34 cities from their hub at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport.

For more information and reservations, visit AirTran Airways' Web site at http://www.airtran.com (America Online keyword: AirTran), call your travel agent or call AirTran Airways at 800-AIRTRAN (800-247-8726) or 770-994-8258 (in Atlanta).

Forward Looking Statement: Certain statements in this Press Release are forward-looking statements. Management wishes to caution the reader that these forward-looking statements, such as AirTran Airways' plans to grow and strengthen its fleet, acquire or dispose of aircraft, or similar statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, are only estimates or predictions. Actual results may differ as a result of risks facing AirTran Airways or future circumstances differing from assumptions underlying such statements. Such risks include market conditions and AirTran Airways' ability to perform as it and the public expects. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the company's annual report on Form 10K for the year ending December 31, 2000. The company disclaims any obligation or duty to update or correct any of its forward-looking statements.