New air service between Columbus, Ohio and Fort Lauderdale, Florida

AirTran Airways today launched daily nonstop flights from Port Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The expanding carrier will be the only airline to offer nonstop daily service between Port Columbus International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

The airline also recently announced that it will begin operating a third daily nonstop flight on May 21, 2009 to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, where passengers can connect to more than 40 destinations. AirTran Airways also provides nonstop service from Port Columbus to Ft. Myers, Florida and Orlando, Florida.

“AirTran Airways is pleased to add another destination to our existing service in Columbus,” said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. “As the only airline to offer nonstop daily service to and from Columbus to Fort Lauderdale, we are reinforcing our commitment to central Ohio and its residents by providing greater passenger choice and fares.”

“The Airport Authority is extremely pleased that AirTran Airways is expanding service at Port Columbus after being here only four months,” said David Whitaker, vice president of business development and communications. “We appreciate the airline’s confidence in the Columbus market and its investment in the region.”