AirTran Airways to Add 2,500 Jobs in Georgia Over Next Five Years

AirTran Airways to Add 2,500 Jobs in Georgia Over Next Five Years

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue and AirTran Airways Chairman and CEO Joe Leonard announced today that AirTran Airways will add an additional 2,500 positions in Georgia over the next five years as a result of its aggressive growth strategy.

“AirTran Airways’ dynamic growth demonstrates that Georgia has the right resources for businesses to succeed in our state,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This airline is setting the standard for profitability in the aviation industry, and it will continue to thrive in Georgia.”

AirTran Airways is expanding dramatically and has developed a strategic growth plan that includes the addition of more than 80 new planes to its fleet over the next five years. These new planes will mean more flights into and out of its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. New staff will be needed to accommodate those flights, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, customer service and ramp agents, reservations agents, and managerial and administrative personnel. 500 new positions a year will be created in Georgia over the next five years, for a total of 2,500 new jobs.

“As a company that has thrived in Georgia, AirTran Airways is proud of our strong and growing contribution to the state’s economy,” said AirTran Airways Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joe Leonard. “Our plan to create 2,500 new jobs demonstrates AirTran Airways’ long-term commitment to building the Georgia workforce and serving the people of this great state.”

The growing airline currently employs 5,200 crew members in Georgia and has 230 daily departures out of the state each day. AirTran Airways is the second-largest carrier at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), where it is the largest low cost carrier-operated hub in the world.

Georgia is home to four of the company’s six largest employment markets – Atlanta, College Park, Savannah and Carrollton. Maintenance and engineering, airport and flight operations, and inflight organization functions are based in Atlanta. The company’s customer service, marketing, inflight training, information technology, reservation and pilot training functions are based in College Park. Warehouse, central supply, cargo, system baggage and engine shop functions are located in Forest Park. All three of the company’s call centers are located in Georgia – College Park, Carrollton and Savannah.

Governor Perdue also announced today that state officials are working with AirTran Airways to develop a workforce development program through Georgia’s Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP). Over the next month, ICAPP teams will formalize a unique public-private partnership to assist in the mission of AirTran's new Corporate Training Center. ICAPP and AirTran Airways will work with various Georgia colleges and universities to develop training programs, utilize virtual classroom opportunities, and to explore college degree options. Programs will focus on three areas: leadership, management and career path development.

AirTran Airways, a Fortune 1000 company and one of America’s largest low-fare airlines with more than 7,700 crew members, operates nearly 700 daily flights to 50 destinations. The airline’s hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it is the second largest carrier. AirTran Airways’ aircraft features the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 and 717-200 to create America’s youngest all-Boeing fleet. The airline is also the first carrier to install XM Satellite Radio on a commercial aircraft and the only airline with business class and XM Satellite Radio on every flight. For reservations or more information, please visit www.airtran.com.

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