AirTran Airways Awards Israel Aircraft Industries' Bedek Aviation Group B717 Component Maintenance Contract

Business Wire, Dec 11, 2002

Business Editors/Travel Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2002

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), has awarded an exclusive multi-year contract to Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Bedek Aviation Group, to provide repair and overhaul services for components on AirTran Airways' growing fleet of Boeing 717 aircraft.

Steve Kolski, AirTran Airways' senior vice president of operations remarked, "The Bedek Aviation Group has been an excellent partner in maintaining our fleet of DC-9 aircraft. Their commitment to being a world-class provider of component maintenance both in terms of reliability and turnaround help insure the Boeing 717 will continue to keep maintenance inventory low, reliability high and costs under control. We view Bedek, along with our other 717 maintenance providers, as partners rather than traditional vendors."

"We are pleased that AirTran Airways has selected Bedek Aviation Group as one of their major suppliers, guaranteeing that their fleet of Boeing 717 aircraft will be consistently in service and their success will be our success," said David Arzi, IAI vice president and general manager of Bedek Aircraft Industries.

AirTran Airways is America's second-largest low-fare airline - employing 5,400 professional Crew Members and serving 404 flights a day to 40 destinations. The airline never requires a roundtrip purchase or Saturday night stay, and offers an affordable Business Class, assigned seating, easy online booking and check-in, the A-Plus Rewards frequent flier program, and the A2B corporate travel program. AirTran Airways also is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., (NYSE: AAI), and the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717, the most modern, environmentally friendly aircraft in its class. For more information and reservations, visit airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran), call AirTran Airways at 800-AIRTRAN (800-247-8726) or 770-994-8258 (in Atlanta) or your travel agent.