AirTran Airways Chairman and CEO Joe Leonard Scheduled to Speak At the National Press Club On May 23

Business Wire, May 15, 2001

Business Editors/Travel Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2001

Joe Leonard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AirTran Airways (AMEX:AAI), will address the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., at the organization's Luncheon Speaker Series on Wednesday, May 23, 2001. Leonard will speak about consolidation in the airline industry from the perspective of an affordable-fare carrier.

Leonard joined AirTran Airways in January 1999 in his current position. Under his leadership, the airline has posted nine consecutive profitable quarters, increased annual operating revenues 42% from $439.3 million to $624.1 million, and boosted passenger load factors from 59.6% to 70.2%.

A 30-year veteran of the commercial air transport field, Leonard has extensive knowledge of the airline industry from management experience at AlliedSignal, Inc., American Airlines, Boeing, Eastern Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Leonard recently testified before committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate regarding the mergers of United Airlines and US Airways and American Airlines and TWA.

The luncheon, which is open to the public, begins at Noon in the ballroom of the National Press Club, located in the National Press Building at 529 14th Street, N.W. in Washington. At 1:00 p.m., Leonard will give a 20-minute address, which will be followed by a question and answer session with members of the press. To order tickets, please contact 202/662-7501.

The speech also will be broadcast live at 1:00 p.m. via web cast at www.airtran.com. A replay and transcript of the speech will be available at the site for six months after the live broadcast. In addition, C-Span and National Public Radio will broadcast Mr. Leonard's speech at varying times. Please check with C-Span and your local NPR station for dates and times.

Systemwide, AirTran Airways operates 326 daily departures to 34 cities. Offering the convenience of easy, same concourse connections in Atlanta, AirTran Airways operates 144 daily departures from Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport.

Named "Best Low-Fare Airline" for 2001 by Entrepreneur magazine, AirTran Airways provides everyday, affordable air travel throughout the eastern United States and, unlike other airlines, never requires a roundtrip purchase or Saturday night stay. AirTran Airways is the launch customer for the Boeing 717, today's newest, most innovative and most environmentally friendly commercial aircraft. AirTran Airways is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (AMEX:AAI).

For more information and reservations, visit AirTran Airways' website at www.airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran), call your travel agent or call AirTran Airways at 800-AIRTRAN (800-247-8726) or 770-994-8258 (in Atlanta).