AirTran Airways Appoints Steven Rossum as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development

AirTran Airways Appoints Steven Rossum as Executive Vice President of
Corporate Development

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a
subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today announced that the
airline has hired Steven A. Rossum as its executive vice president of
corporate development. In this new position, Rossum will be focused primarily
on corporate strategy, corporate finance, fleet planning, aircraft financing
and other strategic transactions. This is Rossum's second stint at AirTran
Airways as he previously served as the airline's vice president and treasurer
from 1999 to 2001 where he oversaw corporate finance and treasury activities
including the airline's 2001 leveraged recapitalization.
With over 20 years of experience, Rossum has negotiated transactions with
all major airframe and engine manufacturers and most leading aircraft lessors
and financiers.
"As a leader in transactional finance matters coupled with his previous
experience and familiarity with AirTran Airways, Steve has the knowledge and
expertise to be an immediate contributor to our team," said Bob Fornaro,
chairman, CEO and president of AirTran Airways. "His dedication and strategic
focus will make him a key player in focusing on our low-cost leadership,
fiscal responsibility and capacity rationalization."
Rossum returns to AirTran Airways from ASTAR Air Cargo, where he served as
executive vice president, chief financial officer and general counsel of the
cargo airline. Rossum's prior work experience includes serving as senior vice
president and general counsel of Reno Air and assistant general counsel at US
Airways and World Airways.
Rossum has participated as a finance executive or lawyer in several
airline financial turnarounds, mergers, divestitures, and a wide variety of
corporate and commercial finance activities. He previously practiced aviation
and finance law at major law firms in Atlanta and has been a lecturer to
industry groups on a variety of airline management and finance topics.
A native of New York City, Rossum earned his B.A. (Romance Languages) and
B.S. (Accounting) degrees from Binghamton University of the State University
of New York and his J.D. degree from the Emory University School of Law.
Rossum has also been an adjunct professor at Emory University. He currently
lives in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, Adina Fleeger, and their three
children.
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), a
Fortune 1000 company, is ranked number one in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating
study. The airline offers coast-to-coast flights, North America's newest
all-Boeing fleet, friendly service and Business Class and complimentary XM
Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit
http://www.airtran.com.

Media Contacts: AirTran Airways
Tad Hutcheson
Judy Graham-Weaver
Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas
678.254.7442

SOURCE AirTran Airways

Tad Hutcheson, Judy Graham-Weaver, or Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas, all of AirTran
Airways, +1-678-254-7442