The last time there was scheduled air service between the Quad Cities and Chicago-Midway was in November 1994. This is about to change. ATA (American Trans Air, Inc.) (Nasdaq:AMTR), the nation`s 10th largest passenger carrier, and Chicago Express Airlines, Inc. (doing business as the ATA Connection), today announced plans to offer daily, non-stop round-trip service between Chicago-Midway and Moline, Ill. Beginning May 28, 2002, ATA Connection will operate five flights daily Sunday through Friday and four flights on Saturday giving customers in the Quad City area, which includes Moline and East Moline, Ill., Rock Island Ill., Bettendorf, Iowa and Davenport, Iowa, convenient access through Chicago-Midway to the majority of the low-fare carrier`s 36 business and leisure destinations. Customers can make reservations beginning today.

“ATA is pleased to bring convenient schedules, high-quality service and low fares to our Quad City business customers. Business customers will especially enjoy the easy connection opportunities to several popular business markets including Boston, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco,” said Gary Marsh, President of ATA Connection. “We are pleased with the expansion at Midway Airport and the opening of seven new ATA gates in the A concourse last month. This has created excellent opportunities for adding more destinations to our growing commuter market.”

“Quad City business leaders and the airport authority have been working for the past 22 months to encourage ATA to initiate service between Chicago-Midway and the Quad Cities,” said Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation, Quad City Airport. “Passengers will be enthused with the competitive airfare structures and connection opportunities that are offered to such cities as Phoenix, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. through the modern new facilities at Chicago-Midway Airport.”

Don Moonjian, ATA Vice President of Marketing added, “ATA`s presence in the Quad City area will not only bring competitive low-fares and frequency to and from Chicago, but easy access to many of our new international destinations including Guadalajara, Mexico. This particular destination is especially ideal as many of our Quad City customers have strong ties to Guadalajara.”

To kick-off the new service announcement, ATA is offering introductory fares between the Quad Cities (the airport is located in Moline, Ill.) and several exciting destinations via Chicago-Midway. There are no advance purchase or minimum stay requirements.
ATA Connection currently operates 11 Saab 340-B aircraft and will add six more Saabs to its fleet in the next five months. The 34-passenger plane is equipped with comfortable leather seating, convenient overhead bins and flight attendant service suitable for the business or vacation traveler. ATA is currently undergoing a re-fleeting process and, since May of 2001, has taken delivery of 21 new aircraft from Boeing including the Boeing 737-800 (in which ATA was the North American launch customer for the -800 model with winglets) and the Boeing 757-300. These state-of-the-art aircraft, which seat 175 and 247 passengers, respectively, have comfortable leather seats, adjustable headrests, expanded overhead bins and high-tech, drop-down video systems.

This year the Company anticipates taking delivery of 19 more new aircraft from Boeing giving it the youngest, most fuel-efficient scheduled fleet among the major carriers. ATA will continue taking delivery of new aircraft from Boeing through 2004. As of March 1, 2002, ATA has a total fleet of 72 (61 in its scheduled service and charter operations and 11 in its commuter operations).

Now in its 29th year of operation, ATA is the nation`s 10th largest carrier (based on revenue passenger miles). ATA offers significant scheduled service from Chicago-Midway and Indianapolis to 36 business and vacation destinations. Stock of the Company`s parent company, Amtran, Inc., is traded on the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol “AMTR.” For more information or to learn about the Company, visit the website at www.ata.com.

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