INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 23, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- As part of ATA's (ATA Airlines Inc.) (Pink Sheets:ATAHQ) announced expansion in several cities to enhance its West Coast and Hawaii presence, the carrier today outlined plans to offer daily nonstop flights from Ontario, Calif., to Honolulu. Additional connecting flights to Hawaii will also be offered from Ontario International Airport through Oakland, Calif., as part of ATA's codeshare agreement with Southwest Airlines.
Starting April 28, 2006, ATA will offer a daily nonstop flight from Ontario to Honolulu. With the expansion, ATA will move its current operations from San Francisco International Airport to Oakland International Airport, just across the Bay. This move will allow ATA to expand its codeshare agreement with Southwest Airlines, making it possible for passengers on both carriers to take advantage of additional daily flights from Ontario to Honolulu, Maui and Hilo via Oakland. From Oakland, ATA will be the only airline to offer nonstop service between the Hawaii city of Hilo and the mainland. The carrier will offer seven weekly round-trips between Hilo and Oakland.
Making Hawaii Convenient and Affordable
"With our entry into Ontario, ATA is excited to expand its codeshare with Southwest Airlines and thereby open up new opportunities for affordable Hawaii travel to thousands of customers nationwide," said ATA Chairman, CEO and President John Denison. "Even more exciting is that as the only carrier to offer nonstop service between Honolulu and Ontario, we realize ATA is leading the way in also making it convenient for Los Angeles travelers to reach the Hawaiian Islands."
Director of Air Service Marketing for the Los Angeles World Airports Mark Thorpe expressed excitement at learning of ATA's announcement. "This latest addition of new nonstop and one-stop ATA service to Hawaiian destinations at LA/Ontario not only increases the number of travel options available to the Southern California-Hawaii market," said Thorpe, "but it also once again highlights the strong and growing demand for air travel within the rapidly expanding Inland Empire region and throughout the whole of Southern California."
Other Expansion
ATA will also increase its nonstop service between Los Angeles International and Honolulu on May 25, 2006. Starting April 2, 2006, ATA is bringing customers new business travel options as the only airline to fly nonstop between William P. Hobby (Houston Hobby) and New York-LaGuardia with two round-trips daily. From Ontario, a new daily flight will be offered to New York-LaGuardia through Chicago's Midway Airport. Finally, ATA is adding one daily nonstop between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Chicago-Midway.
"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 Ontario from as low as $159(b) (off-peak, each way based on a 21-day advance round-trip purchase in coach class on ata.com), 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 Ontario fares:
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To/From To/From Each-Way Fares Valid for Must be
From(b) Travel From(b) Purchased by:
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Ontario Honolulu $159 4/28-5/17 2/3
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Ontario Honolulu $189 (daily) 4/28-6/8 4/24
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Ontario Hilo+ $239 4/28-6/8 4/24
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Ontario Hilo+ $254 (daily) 4/28-6/8 4/24
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Above fares (except where noted), are off-peak, each way based on a 21-day advance round-trip purchase in coach class on ata.com. +Some flights operated by Southwest Airlines.
New Service Details
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Departs Time Arrives Time Connection
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Ontario 7:05 a.m. Honolulu 9:55 a.m. Nonstop
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Ontario 7:00 a.m. Honolulu 1:15 p.m. Oakland
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Ontario 1:00 p.m. Honolulu 7:40 p.m. Oakland
(no Saturday
flight)
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Ontario 1:05 p.m. Honolulu 7:40 p.m. Oakland
(no weekend
flights)
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Ontario 4:20 p.m. Hilo 10:55 p.m. Oakland
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Ontario 6:00 a.m. Maui 12:05 p.m. Oakland
(no weekend
flights)
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Ontario 10:20 a.m. New York 10:09 p.m. Chicago-
(LGA) Midway
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Honolulu 2:35 p.m. Ontario 11:05 p.m. Nonstop
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Honolulu 11:55 p.m. Ontario 10:50 a.m. Oakland
(no Friday
flight)
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Honolulu 11:55 p.m. Ontario 12:35 p.m. Oakland
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Hilo 9:15 a.m. Ontario 7:30 p.m. Oakland
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Maui 10:40 a.m. Ontario 9:15 p.m. Oakland
(no Saturday
flight)
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New York (LGA) 7:59 a.m. Ontario 1:40 p.m. Chicago-
Midway
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New York (LGA) 4:30 p.m. Ontario 10:25 p.m. Chicago-
(no Saturday Midway
flight)
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Service begins April 28, 2006. Times above are local to the corresponding airport. Business seating is available.
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 $10 per roundtrip. Ontario introductory fares are for travel 4/28-6/8/06 (except Ontario/Honolulu $159 for travel 4/28-5/17/06) and must be purchased by 4/24/06 (except Ontario/Honolulu $159 by 2/3/06), Midnight (EST). New York introductory fares for travel 4/2-6/8 and must be purchased by 4/24/06, Midnight (EST). Fares are each way; off-peak (except Ontario/Honolulu $189 and Ontario/Hilo $254 which are daily); based on round-trip purchase (except New York/Houston and New York/New Orleans); 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 fares shown are for off-peak travel to Honolulu: Mon-Wed, from Honolulu: Tue-Thu, to/from New York: Tue/Wed/Sat. Additional introductory fare available for peak travel days. Passenger facility charge of up to $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.