Airtran 2000 Annual Report Download - page 20

Download and view the complete annual report

Please find page 20 of the 2000 Airtran annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

Page out of 52

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52

Again in 2000, AirTran Airways offered “the fastest free ticket on earth” to travelers using our A-Plus Rewards®program. The program was enhanced in
2000 by offering passengers new benefits such as the option to exchange their flight credits for Business Class upgrades. As the most generous frequent flier
program in the industry, A-Plus Rewards continues to create growing customer loyalty for the airline as it builds airline value for our customers.
Once again, AirTran Airways received numerous industry awards throughout the year. Notable among these was recognition by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) for developing improved techniques to assure the quality of inspections of a component in the horizontal stabilizers of DC-9, B-717 and
MD-80 aircraft. In another testament to AirTran Airways’ commitment to safety, all five of the airline’s maintenance bases received the FAA’s Diamond Award,
its highest recognition for excellence in aircraft maintenance. In 2000, the airline was also honored with awards from the southeastern chapter of the
American Society of Travel Agents for “Airline of the Year,” as well as from the Travel Industry Association of Georgia.
AirTran Airways also ratified a new five-year contract with the Teamsters in 2000. This agreement, concluded in advance of the contract’s amendable date,
provides the Company’s nearly 350 Teamster-represented aircraft mechanic and inspector Crew Members with increased wages, benefits and job security
over the life of the contract and a new airline-funded contribution pension program. We also continued to maintain good relationships with all of our other
Crew Member unions, including the National Pilots’ Association, Association of Flight Attendants and Transport Workers Union.
In recognition of AirTran Airways earning its place as a real market force to be reckoned with, we launched a new advertising campaign that boldly
proclaims “Your Airline Has Arrived.” This new campaign was unveiled with dramatic, award-winning new television commercials targeted to the under-
appreciated, over-charged business flier. Extensive ongoing print, outdoor, radio and Internet messages supported this very effective effort throughout the
year. The new tagline works hard to communicate many aspects of the airline’s promise to both its customers and Crew Members. It says that this airline
is designed with them in mind. It says this airline has achieved great things, and that we are here to stay.
In an era of businesses with fast-burning, short-lived growth, AirTran Airways has delivered on a much more valuable kind of promise–steady, sustainable
growth based on a long-term vision and a solid plan. So, while the Company’s record financial performance in 2000 is in itself remarkable, it’s only the
beginning. It is with great confidence and great pride that I can say to our valued shareholders, the most significant aspect of the Company’s success in
2000 is that it portends even greater success in the future.
Indeed, your airline has arrived.
Joe Leonard
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
March 15, 2001