AirTran Airways says hurricanes will affect third quarter results

Airline Industry Information, Sept 8, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

AirTran Airways has admitted that the two hurricanes that battered Florida and the warnings of yet another storm heading for the region are likely to lead to the airline reporting a third quarter loss.

The low-cost airline has been one of only a handful of US airlines to remain profitable in recent months but in a statement on 7 September 2004 AirTran Airways said that the recent storms in Florida will continue to affect around 51% of its normal traffic and that continued storm warnings are affecting bookings.

AirTran Airways went on to say that the effects of the storms coupled with rising fuel prices and a weak revenue stream will hit the company's third quarter results, reported The Associated Press.

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