AirTran Airways To Add 2,500 Jobs in Georgia

By Mark Hoerrner

AirTran Airways, the red-headed stepchild of the aviation industry formerly known as Valujet, has prospered since stepping on to the airline market. Using flat-fee fares and a slightly different in-flight operation that lured travelers away from the larger, older airline, AirTran has risen to be a leader in the air flight arena. So much so, in fact, that the company will add 2,500 employees as operations expand over the next five years.

The company announced the hiring spree June 30th along with the intention to put 80 new planes into service at its hub in Atlanta, Ga. These additional planes will need crews, support, and administrative staff to ensure its tradition of striving to provide service superior to older, more heavily branded airlines like Delta, United and Continental.

"AirTran Airways’ dynamic growth demonstrates that Georgia has the right resources for businesses to succeed in our state," said Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue in a recent statement. "This airline is setting the standard for profitability in the aviation industry, and it will continue to thrive in Georgia."

The Governor is backing up his words with investments into a workforce development initiative that will pair AirTran with Georgia’s Intellectual Capital Partnership Program. The goal of the private-public partnership is to create a massive campaign for producing workers for AirTran through special training programs at Georgia colleges and universities as well as utilizing virtual learning scenarios and even looking into specialized degree programs. Specifically, the program will focus on leadership, management and career-path development.

The Fortune 1000 company operates the largest low-cost carrier hub in the world at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It is also the second largest carrier in operation at Hartsfield right behind Atlanta-based Delta Airlines. AirTran employs nearly 8,000 nationwide with 5,200 of those employees based in Georgia at four of its six largest employment markets– Atlanta, Savannah, Carrollton, and College Park.

Atlanta is home to maintenance and engineering, airport and flight operations, and inflight organization functions. The company’s customer service, marketing, inflight training, information technology, reservation and pilot training functions are based in College Park, and warehouse, central supply, cargo, system baggage and engine shop functions are located in Forest Park. The company operates three call centers in Georgia – College Park, Carrollton and Savannah.

The airline, which services 700 flights daily to 50 U.S. destinations, is the first air carrier to include XM satellite radio for customers. It also operates the youngest all-Boeing fleet of planes.