AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), today reported that passenger traffic, or revenue passenger miles (RPMs), represents a record for the month of September.
Based on RPMs, traffic grew by 37.6 percent, to 525.6 million RPMs, on an increase of 26.0 percent in capacity, based on available seat miles (ASMs). September`s load factor reached 63.4 percent compared to 58.0 percent in September 2002. Year-to-date load factor was 71.6 percent, versus 68.1 percent for the same period last year. The airline also enplaned 862,715 passengers in the month of September, a 31.1 percent increase over September 2002.
“AirTran Airways is pleased to again report positive growth in customers served. Looking ahead to our market openings in San Francisco and at Reagan National, the AirTran Airways team is excited to bring our high-quality, low-fare service to more customers, while returning value to our shareholders,” said President and COO Robert L. Fornaro.
AirTran Airways is one of America`s largest low-fare airlines - employing more than 5,600 professional Crew Members and operating 492 flights a day to 44 destinations. The airline`s hub is at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, the world`s busiest airport by passenger volume, where it is the second largest carrier operating 189 flights per day. AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings (NYSE:AAI), is the world`s largest operator of the Boeing 717 and has the youngest all-Boeing fleet of any airline. In 2004, the airline will begin taking delivery of new Boeing 737-700s. For reservations or more information, visit airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).
The company issues financial statements quarterly. Statements regarding the Company`s preliminary traffic data, success of the Company`s business model, continuous growth trends, strength of passenger demand and customers` response to our product are forward-looking statements and are not historical facts. Instead, they are estimates or projections involving numerous risks or uncertainties, including but not limited to, consumer demand and acceptance of services offered by the Company, the Company`s ability to maintain current cost levels, commodity prices and actions by competitors, regulatory matters and general economic conditions. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or correct any of its forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the company`s SEC filings, including but not limited to the company`s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Copies of this filing may be obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.

——-