AirTran Reports 34 Percent Increase in Year End Traffic; Load Factor Increases 2.6 Points From Previous Year.

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 1999--AirTran (Nasdaq:AAIR) today announced that the company's traffic for calendar year 1998 totaled 3.2 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs), a 34.0 percent increase from calendar year 1997. AirTran's 1998 system load factor increased 2.6 points from the previous year to 59.6 percent.

Available seat miles (ASMs) for the year increased 28.0 percent to 5.4 billion from 1997. Passenger enplanements for 1998 totaled 5.5 million, a 33.2 percent increase over 1997.

In December 1998, AirTran flew 254.2 million RPMs, a 15.7 percent increase over the same month a year ago. ASMs increased 17.6 percent to 456.3 million from the previous December level of 387.9 million. The December 1998 load factor was 55.7 percentage points. December passenger enplanements increased 38.1 percent to 467,164.

December traffic was negatively impacted by unfavorable weather conditions over the holidays and the fact that post-Thanksgiving holiday travel occurred during the month of November this year.

AirTran is the second largest airline serving Atlanta, operating 130 daily departures from Atlanta to 28 destinations and over 270 daily departures system wide. Additionally, AirTran offers the convenience of easy, same concourse connections in Atlanta.

Recipient of Entrepreneur magazine's 1998 award for "Best Domestic Low-Fare Airline," AirTran provides everyday, affordable air travel throughout the eastern United States and Midwest. Unlike other airlines, AirTran never requires a roundtrip purchase or Saturday night stay. Currently operating a fleet of 50 jet aircraft, AirTran is the launch customer for the new Boeing 717-200 with a firm order of 50 aircraft and options for another 50. Delivery of these aircraft commences next summer. AirTran is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:AAIR).

For more information and flight reservations, call your travel agent, 800-AIRTRAN (800-247-8726), 770/994-8258 (in Atlanta), or visit the AirTran website at www.airtran.com. -0-

             AIRTRAN PRELIMINARY DECEMBER TRAFFIC RESULTS

                         December 1998(a)  December 1997(a)    Change
                         ----------------  ----------------    ------

Available Seat Miles (000)        456,319           387,919    +17.6%

Revenue Passenger Miles (000)     254,217           219,677    +15.7%

Load Factor                         55.7%             56.6%  -0.9 pts.

Passengers Enplaned               467,164           338,243    +38.1%


           AIRTRAN PRELIMINARY 1998 YEAR-END TRAFFIC RESULTS

                           Y-T-D 1998(a)    Y-T-D 1997(a)     Change
                           -------------    -------------     ------

Available Seat Miles (000)     5,442,272        4,250,702     +28.0%

Revenue Passenger Miles (000)  3,245,860        2,422,740     +34.0%

Load Factor                        59.6%            57.0%    +2.6 pts.

Passengers Enplaned            5,452,590        4,093,482     +33.2%

(a)  The numbers reflect AirTran Holdings, Inc., which includes
     AirTran Airlines and AirTran Airways.

Statements regarding the Company's future profitability, traffic and revenue are forward-looking statements and are not historical facts. Instead, they are estimates or projections involving numerous risks or uncertainties, including but not limited to, consumer demand and acceptance of services offered by the Company, the Company's ability to maintain current cost levels, fare levels and actions by competitors, regulatory matters and general economic conditions. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or correct any of its forward-looking statements.