AirTran Airways Selects BellSouth Long Distance Service
Posted on: Tuesday, 20 January 2004, 06:00 CST
ATLANTA, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BellSouth today announced that it has been selected to provide long distance services to AirTran Airways. The low-fare airline, which is headquartered in Orlando, operates its hub out of Atlanta with more than 500 daily flights across the country. By choosing BellSouth Long Distance, AirTran Airways will be able to expand its data network services every step of the way, from flight scheduling to passenger check-in. In addition, by consolidating its communications services with one provider, the airline can also operate more cost effectively, a key element of AirTran Airways' mission statement.
BellSouth enables business customers, such as AirTran Airways, to capitalize on the simplicity, convenience and cost-effectiveness of consolidating all of their communications needs with one provider and benefiting from all their long distance services on one bill*. For airlines and other businesses with advanced voice and data needs, BellSouth Long Distance offers nationwide service and secure and reliable solutions including BellSouth(R) Long Distance Frame Relay service, BellSouth(R) Long Distance ATM service, BellSouth(R) Toll-Free service, and BellSouth(R) Conferencing Services. As of third quarter 2003, BellSouth Long Distance has signed nearly 5,500 contracts with large and mid-size business customers, worth $600 million in total contract value.
As a long time customer of BellSouth for local phone service, AirTran Airways is familiar with the company's commitment to customer service. With flights to more than forty-five destinations, AirTran Airways was looking to consolidate its communication needs while also improving upon its current long distance service. BellSouth Long Distance allows AirTran Airways to do that in multiple ways, including routing voice traffic over its frame relay network and implementing a four-digit dial system for faster communications between airports.
"We've experienced swift growth in a quickly changing environment and having to interface with multiple vendors was taking its toll," said Rocky B. Wiggins, vice president and chief information officer for AirTran Airways. "Now we've integrated these communications services through BellSouth and are experiencing improved performance as well as significant cost savings."
Known for its low fares, AirTran Airways is constantly striving to get the job done right and as economically as possible. In fact, AirTran Airways was the first low-fare airline to introduce online check-in, the most efficient way for passengers to check-in. Opting to switch to BellSouth Long Distance allows AirTran Airways to continue its commitment to cutting costs without sacrificing services.
"AirTran wanted to partner with a company they trust and deem reliable for their mission-critical applications," said Chris Anderson, vice president of BellSouth Long Distance Services. "BellSouth understands their business, offers the comprehensive voice and data services they require and can respond quickly to their shifting needs -- and can do it at a price that saves them money."
BellSouth delivers the quality and service levels imperative for businesses' operational effectiveness. The BellSouth Long Distance Customer Resource Center (CRC) handles provisioning, service assurance and customer care to ensure the ordering, installation and repair processes are seamless.
In 2002, BellSouth became the first regional Bell operating company to offer long distance in its entire territory, providing comprehensive solutions for both large and small businesses. BellSouth reported in its 2003 third quarter earnings that the company was providing long distance service to more than 3.4 million residential and business customers in its nine-state service territory.
For information about BellSouth Long Distance services, visit http://www.bellsouthcorp.com/longdistance/ . Spanish-speaking customer service representatives are available at 1-888-494-8087. For long distance news visit http://www.bellsouthcorp.com/longdistancenews/ .
About AirTran Airways
AirTran Airways is one of America's largest low-fare airlines -- employing more than 5,600 professional Crew Members and operating 508 flights a day to 45 destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport by passenger volume, where it is the second largest carrier operating 188 flights per day. AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings , is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717 and has the youngest all-Boeing fleet of any airline. In 2004, the airline will begin taking delivery of new Boeing 737- 700s. For reservations or more information, visit airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).
About BellSouth Corporation
BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth serves more than 45 million local, long distance, Internet and wireless customers in the United States and 13 other countries.
Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides complete communications solutions to the residential and business markets. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access and long distance, advanced voice features and other services. The company's BellSouth Answers(SM) package combines local and long distance service with an array of calling features; wireless data, voice and e-mail services; and high- speed DSL or dial-up Internet service and Cingular Wireless. In the business market, BellSouth serves small, medium and large businesses providing secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(SM) and The Real Yellow Pages(R).
BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative data and voice services.
*Long distance services are provided on one bill with the exception of BellSouth Conferencing services.
Long distance service is provided by BellSouth Long Distance, Inc., and is available in BellSouth service areas.
Media Contacts:
Laura Ray Tad Hutcheson
BellSouth Corporation AirTran Airways
(404) 829-8728 (407) 251-5578
laura.ray@bellsouth.com tad.hutcheson@airtran.com
BellSouth Corporation
CONTACT: Laura Ray of BellSouth Corporation, +1-404-829-8728, orlaura.ray@bellsouth.com; or Tad Hutcheson of AirTran Airways, +1-407-251-5578,or tad.hutcheson@airtran.com
Web site: http://www.bellsouthcorp.com/longdistancehttp://www.bellsouthcorp.com/longdistancenewshttp://www.airtran.com/
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