ORLANDO, Fla., Oct 26, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today announced that its Board of Directors has elected current Director of Marketing Tad Hutcheson and current General Manager of Operations Jim Tabor to the positions of vice president of marketing and sales and vice president of operations, respectively. Collectively, Hutcheson and Tabor bring over a half-century of airline industry experience and have been a key part of AirTran Airways' continued success.

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Tad Hutcheson will assume the role of vice president of marketing and sales, a new position in which he will oversee marketing, sales, public relations, advertising, community affairs and airtran.com. Since joining AirTran Airways in 1997 as the director of marketing, Hutcheson has overseen all facets of AirTran Airways' award-winning marketing programs.

A native of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Hutcheson graduated from The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he received a distinguished alumnus award in 2005. He received a bachelor of arts from King College of Bristol, Tenn., where he majored in both French literature and business administration. In addition, Hutcheson completed international marketing studies at St. Peter's College, Oxford University, and the International Business Institute in Europe. Hutcheson also earned an MBA from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

A resident of Atlanta, Ga., Hutcheson is involved in the community. He is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and serves on the Boards of the Atlanta Business League, the Atlanta College of Art, Junior Achievement of Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, Travelers' Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. The savvy marketer has received a number of accolades for his industry leadership and AirTran Airways programs, including two Rising Star awards by Travel Agent Magazine and recognition by PRWeek for heading one of the nation's top corporate public relations teams.

"Tad's marketing expertise has been instrumental to AirTran Airways' success over the past eight years," said Robert L. Fornaro, AirTran Airways president and chief operating officer. "He brings creative vision and strategic business thinking to our communication with customers, Crew Members and investors."

Jim Tabor has been promoted to the vice president of operations role after nearly five years of outstanding service as AirTran Airways' general manager of operations. Tabor is responsible for the airline's system operations control (SOC), dispatch, crew planning/scheduling, operations analysis, charter operations and ATC/airfield operations.

Previously Tabor has served as senior director - SOC for America West Airlines in Tempe, Ariz., and senior director of operations for US Airways in Pittsburgh, Pa. He started his aviation career in 1981 at Piedmont Airlines in Roanoke, Va.

At AirTran Airways, Tabor has developed the operations functions to support the company's vigorous growth plan and to assure continued effectiveness in the operations area.

"Jim's analysis and planning for AirTran Airways' operations have brought new efficiencies to our airline," comments Fornaro. "As a seasoned industry expert, he has streamlined daily operations and found new ways to lower costs and improve operations."

Tabor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Eastern Nazarene College in Wollaston, Mass. He also possesses an FAA aircraft dispatcher certificate. Tabor has two daughters: one resides in Columbus, Ohio, and the other and her family reside in Algonquin, Ill. He and his wife currently live in Orlando, Fla.

AirTran Airways, one of America's largest low-fare airlines with 6,700 friendly, professional Crew Members, operates over 500 daily flights to 49 destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it is the second largest carrier. AirTran Airways recently added the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 aircraft to create America's youngest all-Boeing fleet. The airline is also the first carrier to install XM Satellite Radio on a commercial aircraft. For reservations or more information, visit airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).

Media Contacts:  Tad Hutcheson
                      678.254.7442
                      tad.hutcheson@airtran.com

                      Judy Graham-Weaver
                      678.254.7448
                      judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com

SOURCE AirTran Airways

Tad Hutcheson, +1-678-254-7442, tad.hutcheson@airtran.com, or Judy Graham-Weaver,
+1-678-254-7448, judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com

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