AirTran Airways Chairman and CEO Receives 2007 Airline Strategy Award

ORLANDO, Fla., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. , announced today that the company’s chairman and CEO, Joe Leonard, was honored as the 2007 Airline Strategy Award recipient for Low Cost and Regional Leadership by Airline Business magazine.

Leonard and AirTran Airways were “recognized for an innovative strategy that has produced consistent profits in an extremely tight market,” according to the magazine.

“AirTran Airways congratulates Joe on this well-deserved award,” said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways president and chief operating officer. “Joe’s leadership and guidance have led the airline during challenging industry conditions while maintaining our goal of providing our loyal customers with quality, affordable air travel.”

Leonard joined AirTran Airways in 1999 and has since established AirTran Airways as a major low-cost carrier which has been recognized recently by Entrepreneur magazine as the nation’s Best Low-Fare Airline. Leonard’s tenure has been marked by growth – from 268 departures in 1999 to 768 departures in 2007, from $523 million in total revenue in 1999 to $1,893 million in 2006 (year-ended 12/31/06) and from 2,900 Crew Members in 1999 to more than 8,900 Crew Members today.

“The 2007 Airline Strategy Awards once again demonstrate the extremely high quality of leadership among our leading carriers. It is an industry that is performing remarkably well in a climate that never seems to get any easier and one that constantly requires outstanding leaders,” said Mark Pilling, editor of Airline Business.

A native of Augusta, Ga., Leonard received his bachelor’s in aerospace engineering from Auburn University and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta’s 191 Club, The Commerce Club, The Wings Club, and Mueller Water Products, Inc.

AirTran Airways, a Fortune 1000 company, offers passengers more than 700 affordable, daily flights to 56 destinations throughout the United States. The airline is the second-largest carrier at its hub, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and one of America’s largest low-fare airlines. With more than 8,800 friendly Crew Members and free online booking on http://www.airtran.com/, AirTran Airways makes travel both pleasant and convenient. The airline flies America’s youngest all-Boeing fleet, composed of the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 and 717-200 aircraft. AirTran Airways was also the first to install XM Satellite Radio on a commercial aircraft and the only airline with Business Class seating on every flight. For more information, visit http://www.airtran.com/.

    Media Contact:    Tad Hutcheson    tad.hutcheson@airtran.com    678.254.7442     Judy Graham-Weaver    judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com    678.254.7448  

AirTran Airways

CONTACT: Tad Hutcheson, tad.hutcheson@airtran.com, +1-678-254-7442, orJudy Graham-Weaver, judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com, +1-678-254-7448

Web site: http://www.airtran.com/