INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 23, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- ATA (ATA Airlines, Inc.) (Pink Sheets:ATAHQ) today announces it is significantly expanding its scheduled service from Hawaii to the mainland. Beginning in April 2006, the carrier will offer service between the Hawaiian Islands and both Oakland International Airport, just across the San Francisco Bay, and Ontario International Airport, just east of Los Angeles. As of late May, ATA will offer an average of 11 daily and 73 weekly nonstop flights between Hawaii and five mainland cities: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif.; Ontario, Calif.; and Phoenix. In addition to these flights, ATA's codeshare arrangement with Southwest Airlines will allow customers on either carrier to reach Hawaii from more than 40 cities nationwide.
Rebuilding Core Strengths
"Today's announcement begins an exciting period for the Company as we start to refocus and carefully increase our airline's scheduled service," said ATA Chairman, CEO and President John Denison. "With this announcement, we return to one of the core strengths on which ATA was built-leisure travel-while growing in a market that has been historically successful for our Company. Ultimately, it is our customers who will benefit most from the numerous affordable and convenient travel options this expansion delivers."
Only Nonstop Service to the Mainland from Hilo
As part of this expansion, ATA is the first low-cost carrier and only airline to currently offer nonstop service between the Hawaii city of Hilo on the Big Island and the mainland. Starting April 27, 2006, the carrier will offer one daily round-trip between Hilo and Oakland. On the same date, ATA will be launching two daily round-trips to Honolulu and one daily round-trip to Maui from Oakland. These additions will double Oakland's available scheduled service to Hawaii and will replace ATA's current operations at San Francisco International Airport.
ATA will also be initiating on April 28, 2006 the only daily nonstop, round-trip service between Honolulu and Ontario International Airport, located approximately 38 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Finally, on May 25, 2006, ATA will introduce one additional nonstop flight between Honolulu and Los Angeles International Airport.
Convenient Business Travel and Codeshare Connections
ATA will also strengthen its presence in the Southwest, with two new daily round-trips between William P. Hobby Airport (Houston Hobby) and New York-LaGuardia, set to begin on April 2, 2006. ATA will be the only nonstop carrier to offer this service. At the same time, the Company will add a fourth round-trip between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Chicago-Midway.
"Our entry into Houston furthers ATA's commitment to provide its customers with more convenient and affordable business travel options," said ATA Executive Vice President and COO Subodh Karnik. "It also strengthens our highly successful codeshare agreement with Southwest Airlines. This codeshare will enable our passengers to reach more than 10 cities from Houston alone and more than 50 destinations nationwide."
Through the codeshare, customers can book travel on a single ticket for select connecting ATA and Southwest flights. After the expansion, airports where codeshare passengers and their checked baggage will be exchanged include: Chicago-Midway, Las Vegas McCarran International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, William P. Hobby and Oakland International.
"Hawaii Travel Marathon" Hourly Ticket Giveaway(a)
In celebration of ATA's expanded service to Hawaii, ATA is excited to launch its 24/7 "Hawaii Travel Marathon." Every hour from Jan. 23, 2006, through Jan. 31, 2006, Travel Awards Members will be eligible to receive a free(a) round-trip ticket for travel from Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., or Ontario, Calif., to any Hawaii destination served by ATA. Tickets will be eligible for travel from Feb. 15, 2006, to May 31, 2006. Winners will be randomly selected and notified via e-mail. Visit ata.com for more information.
Low Introductory Fares
ATA is also offering its customers special introductory fares between Hawaii and the mainland from as low as $149(b) (off-peak, each way based on a 21-day advance round-trip purchase in coach class on ata.com), nonstop between Houston and New York-LaGuardia from as low as $89(b) (off-peak, each way based on a 21-day advance purchase in coach class on ata.com), and between New York-LaGuardia and other select destinations such as New Orleans from as low as $79(b) (off-peak, each way based on a 21-day advance purchase in coach class on ata.com). Listed below are a few examples of the introductory fares:
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To/From To/From Each-Way Valid for Must be
Fares From(b) Travel From(b) Purchased by:
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New York- Houston $89 4/2-6/8 4/24
LaGuardia nonstop only
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New Orleans+ New York- $79 4/2-6/8 4/24
LaGuardia
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Midland/ New York- $99 4/2-6/8 4/24
Odessa+ LaGuardia
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Oakland Honolulu $149 4/27-5/17 2/3
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Oakland Maui $159 4/27-5/17 2/3
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Oakland Hilo $159 4/27-5/17 2/3
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Ontario Honolulu $159 4/28-5/17 2/3
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San Diego+ Honolulu $209 4/27-6/8 4/24
(daily)
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Seattle+ Hilo $229 4/28-6/8 4/24
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Portland+ Maui $239 4/27-6/8 4/24
(daily)
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Albuquerque+ Hilo $249 4/28-6/8 4/24
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Salt Lake City+ Hilo $249 4/28-6/8 4/24
Above fares are off-peak (except where noted), each way based on a 21-day advance round-trip purchase in coach class on ata.com. +Some flights operated by Southwest Airlines.
Expansion Highlights
HONOLULU: As of May 25, 2006, ATA will provide an average of seven nonstop flight choices daily from Honolulu, including 26 weekly nonstop flights to/from the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Areas, collectively. With the introduction of these ATA flights, customers can, for the first time, take advantage of daily low-fare Hawaii travel options from either Oakland International Airport or Ontario International Airport.
MAUI: As of April 27, 2006, ATA will provide an average of three nonstop flight choices daily from Maui, including seven weekly nonstop flights to/from Maui to the San Francisco Bay Area.
HILO: As of April 27, 2006, ATA will provide the only nonstop service from Hilo to the mainland, including seven weekly nonstop flights to/from Hilo to Oakland International Airport.
OAKLAND: As of April 27, 2006, ATA will double Oakland International Airport's available seat capacity to Hawaii with 28 nonstop flight choices weekly. This service includes two daily round-trips to Honolulu, one daily round-trip to Maui, and the only service from anywhere on the mainland to Hilo as a daily nonstop round-trip.
ONTARIO: As of April 28, 2006, ATA will be the only airline to provide nonstop, round-trip service between Ontario International and Honolulu with seven flights weekly.
HOUSTON: As of April 2, 2006, ATA will be the only airline to provide nonstop service between Houston Hobby and New York-LaGuardia with 14 weekly nonstop flights. This new service will provide business travelers an easily accessible and affordable link to the East Coast from downtown Houston.
Service between Hawaii to Ontario, Oakland and Los Angeles, as well as Houston to New York-LaGuardia flights, will be provided on ATA's Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Comfortable and spacious, these aircraft boast all-leather seats, adjustable headrests, large overhead bins and digital in-flight audio/video systems.
As ATA enters its 33rd year of operations, the Company is bringing more convenient, value-based service to the skies. ATA provides features travelers have come to expect, including advanced seat assignments, self-service kiosks, Web check-in, simplified and consistent fare structure, and a frequent flier program with one of the lowest thresholds for earning travel in the industry. For more information, visit ata.com.
(a)Giveaway is only valid on direct departures from LAX, LAS, SFO, PHX, ONT or OAK. Travel begins 2/15/06 and must be completed by 5/31/06 and is subject to blackout dates (Feb. 16-17, 20; Mar. 25-26; April 1-2, 8-9, 15-16; May 25-26, 29). ATA 24/7 Hawaii Travel Marathon Promotion is valid for new and existing Travel Awards Members with Travel Awards ID number and valid e-mail address. Entry will be based on Travel Awards ID number. Limit one entry per Travel Awards member. No purchase is necessary to win, and all entries have an equal chance of winning. Odds of winning are dependent on number of entries received. A parent or legal guardian must enter minors under age 18 who wish to participate in this Giveaway. All winners will be notified daily via e-mail and will be provided redemption instructions at said time. Member is only eligible for one round-trip giveaway. Limited to U.S. residents only. All Travel Awards Program terms and conditions apply. Entry also available by mail. Other restrictions apply.
(b)Introductory fares do not include a $3.30 federal segment tax per takeoff and landing and a September 11th Security Fee of up to $5 each way or $10 per round-trip. New York introductory fares are for travel 4/2-6/8/06; Oakland/Honolulu $149 fare, Oakland/Maui $159 fare and Oakland/Hilo $159 fare for travel 4/27-5/17/06; Ontario/Honolulu fare for travel 4/28-5/17/06; San Diego/Honolulu and Portland/Honolulu for travel 4/27-6/8/06; Seattle/Hilo, Albuquerque/Hilo, Salt Lake City/Hilo for travel 4/28-6/8/06 and must be purchased by 4/24/06 (except Hawaii $149 and $159 fares must be purchased by 2/3/06), Midnight (EST). Fares are each way; off-peak; (except San Diego/Honolulu, Portland/Maui, Albuquerque/Hilo, Salt Lake City/Hilo are daily); based on round-trip purchase (except New York fares); require a 21-day advance purchase; in coach class; on ata.com or through travel agencies (tickets cost $5 more if purchased by phone, at ATA reservation centers or ATA ticket counters); nonrefundable; subject to change without notice. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights and dates. Introductory off-peak fares shown are for travel to Hawaii: Mon-Wed, from Hawaii: Tue-Thu, to/from New York: Tue/Wed/Sat. Additional introductory fares available for peak travel days. Not all destinations are served on a daily basis. Passenger facility charge of up to $9 each way or $18 per round-trip not included in fares. Photo I.D. required for flight check-in. For above fares, service provided by ATA Airlines, except where noted. +Some service provided by Southwest Airlines.