AirTran Holdings, the parent company of AirTran Airways, Inc., today reported net income of $10.4 million. These results represent a $105.0 million improvement over the third quarter of 2008. Airtran also reported a record Year-to-Date Net Income of $117.6 Million.
The operating income for the third quarter of 2009 was $37.0 million and is the second highest third quarter operating income in Company history.
The Company has been profitable in each quarter of 2009, and has posted year-to-date records in operating income of $150.9 million, net income of $117.6 million, and load factor of 80.4 percent.
"Our 8,500 dedicated Crew Members are committed to running the finest airline in the U.S., and their outstanding efforts have resulted in AirTran being profitable every quarter this year," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways' chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Through their hard work and dedication and the loyalty of our customers, we have been very successful despite these difficult economic times."
"The year-over-year improvement in our financial performance is directly related to maintaining our industry-leading low cost structure while providing 'best-in-class' service and outstanding value to our business and leisure passengers," said Arne Haak, senior vice president of finance, treasurer and chief financial officer for AirTran Airways. "AirTran Airways was among the first airlines to react to the changing economic environment in 2008, and our operating performance this year reflects those actions."
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years.
