Airport News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2007

Contacts:         

Kristie Van Auken                                              Judy Graham-Weaver

Kvanauken@akroncantonairport.com                 judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com

330-896-2376                                                       678.254.7448

Shelly the Third AirTran Airways' Teal Flamingo Found Today at the Goodyear Polymer Center at the University of Akron

Green, OH:  The third AirTran Airways' lost teal flamingos is on its way back to Ft. Myers, Florida after being found today at the Goodyear Polymer Center at the University of Akron. Shelly was rescued by the mother and daughter flamingo-seeking team of Dixie King and Erin Troyer at 10:05 a.m. EST.  Shelly and her three teal-feathered friends Sandy, Shiny and Sunny lost their way and need to be returned to Florida as soon as possible.

AirTran Airways and Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) peppered Northeast Ohio with 3,000 pink plastic yard flamingos -- along with four teal misfits -- as a tribute to the airline's nonstop routes between Akron-Canton and Ft. Lauderdale (new!), Ft. Myers, Tampa and Orlando. The contest called FlaminGO to AirTran.com was launched during the airline's Ft. Lauderdale flight celebration at CAK on January 4, 2007.  The four strategically placed grand-prize teal flamingos win their lucky finders a set of tickets on AirTran Airways.

"It was hard to pull Shelly away from the intense polymer science program at U of A," said airport marketing & communications director Kristie VanAuken. "She apparently has a real interest in polymer materials (it is rumored that Shelly is interested in more detailed feather molding and better fitting leg brackets).  Unfortunately, she must go back to Ft. Myers today. Her only consolation is that her flight will be aboard a comfy new AirTran Airways' Boeing 737-700 jet with XM Satellite Radio at every seat."

The last remaining wayward flamingo will be found by the end-of-day January 12, 2007 when the contest ends (visit http://www.airtran.com for contest rules). Jet-setters may have to go out on a limb in their flamingo search, but AirTran Airways A+ Rewards members can log on to http://www.airtran.com/flamingos and receive clues as to the whereabouts of the teal flamingos every day. Who knew bird-watching could be so much fun?

About Akron-Canton Airport

The airport dedicated its new, spacious, four-gate passenger concourse in early May and celebrated its sixtieth birthday in October, 2006.  The concourse was the centerpiece of the airport's $60 million, five-year STAR expansion project which also wrapped up in October.  Other elements of STAR included longer runways, a new baggage claim wing, additional car parking, and a new Arby's and Great Lakes Brewing Company brew pub. Additional information including flight reservations, driving instructions, and a relaxation station is available at www.akroncantonairport.com, CAK's new web portal.  Akron-Canton Airport, a better way to go®.

About AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, a Fortune 1000 company and one of America's largest low-fare airlines with 8,000 friendly, professional Crew Members, operates nearly 700 daily flights to 52 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, visit http://www.airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).

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