INDIANAPOLIS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 16, 2002—Chicago Express Airlines, Inc. doing business as ATA Connection, has received the highest award granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the third consecutive year.
The “Diamond Award” was given to ATA Connection to signify excellence in maintenance. The award was given on March 21, 2002. ATA Connection is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amtran, Inc., parent company of ATA (American Trans Air, Inc.) (Nasdaq:AMTR).

The “Diamond Award recognizes the level of advanced training provided to aircraft maintenance professionals beyond the compulsory FAA training requirements. In addition to the Diamond Award being presented to the entire maintenance department, a number of ATA Connection maintenance technicians were presented with individual achievement awards.

“Receiving this award for three consecutive years signifies the standard of excellence that our maintenance crews adhere to,” said Gary Marsh, ATA Connection President. “Our commitment to safety is second to none, and we`re proud that this award demonstrates that commitment.”

ATA Connection currently provides commuter service between Chicago-Midway airport and eight Midwestern cities including Dayton, Des Moines, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, South Bend and Springfield. The Company recently announced the addition of service to Moline, Ill, which will commence May 2002, Toledo, OH in to begin June 2002, and Flint, Mich. in July 2002.

Now in its 29th year, ATA is the nation`s 10th largest passenger carrier based on revenue passenger miles. ATA operates significant scheduled service from Chicago-Midway and Indianapolis. Stock of the Company`s parent company, Amtran, Inc., is traded on the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol “AMTR.”

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