AirTran Expects Growth, Atlanta to See New Service

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – AirTran says it will increase capacity by three to four-percent this year. But will Atlanta--the carrier's biggest hub--enjoy those gains? WABE's Jim Burress reports.

Lexington to Ft. Lauderdale. Grand Rapids to Ft. Myers. Those small markets are some of AirTran's newest direct routes. Notice, I didn't mention Atlanta.

"A lot of people in Grand Rapids want to go directly to Florida, so if we can provide service that's great."

That's AirTran spokesman Christopher White. He says the new routes are not at Atlanta's expense, and the airline will soon announce new destinations from here.

AirTran's recent expansion has come at the expense of some markets, however. White says the airline pulled out of Burlington, Vermont because it just didn't have enough planes.

And compared to last year, AirTran customers aren't seeing as many super-low deals.

White says that's because of an overall rebound in the economy.

Whatever the reason, it's working for AirTran. Despite a revenue decline, the low-cost carrier enjoyed record profits in 2009.

Jim Burress, WABE News.