INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 23, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- As part of an announced expansion in several cities aimed at increasing ATA's (ATA Airlines Inc.) (Pink Sheets:ATAHQ) presence on the West Coast and in Hawaii, the carrier today outlined plans to move its operations from San Francisco International Airport to Oakland International Airport, just across the Bay. Starting April 27, 2006, ATA will offer four daily nonstop flights between Hawaii and Oakland. The new flights will include two round-trips daily to Honolulu and one round-trip daily to Maui. ATA will also be the only airline to offer nonstop service between the Hawaii city of Hilo on the Big Island and the mainland with one daily, nonstop round-trip between Oakland and this destination.
Same Airline, New Flight Plan
"Our move to Oakland is not only a win for current ATA customers who will continue to enjoy our convenient and affordable travel options to Hawaii, but it also brings the islands to thousands more who are served through our codeshare agreement with Southwest Airlines," said ATA Chairman, CEO and President John Denison. "It is these passengers who will gain the most as they will now be able to enjoy connections to Hawaii out of Oakland from 25 different cities nationwide." Beyond the Hawaii service, the codeshare will also make it possible for originating Oakland passengers to connect to Washington, D.C. (DCA) and New York-LaGuardia via Chicago-Midway.
ATA will be serving the same market, but soon at a different Bay Area airport. Oakland International is known for its convenience to downtown San Francisco, low fares and on-time results-helping to deliver the kind of service ATA customers have come to expect. "It just makes sense, and the timing is right for ATA to move across the Bay to Oakland International Airport," said Steve Grossman, director of aviation for the Port of Oakland. "In 2005, sixty percent of Oakland's nearly 14.5 million passengers traveled on ATA's codeshare partner Southwest Airlines, offering a sizable base of customers seeking low-fare options to destinations such as Hawaii. Additionally, Oakland's construction projects currently underway, including renovation and expansion of Terminal 2 and improving roadway access to the terminals, will offer ATA customers a comfortable, efficient and convenient airport experience."
Other Additions
ATA will also be launching service between Honolulu and Ontario International, just east of Los Angeles, as well as increasing nonstop service between Los Angeles International and Honolulu. The carrier is expanding its business travel options with new service between William P. Hobby Airport (Houston Hobby) in Houston and New York-LaGuardia. ATA will be the only airline to fly this route nonstop out of Houston Hobby. Finally, ATA is adding one daily nonstop flight 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 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), 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 round-trip purchase in coach class on ata.com). Listed below are a few examples of the introductory Oakland fares:
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To/From To/From Each-Way Fares Valid for Must be
From(b) Travel From Purchased by:
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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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Oakland Honolulu $189 (daily) 4/27-6/8 4/24
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Oakland Maui $189 (daily) 4/27-6/8 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.
New Daily Nonstop Service Details --------------------------------------------------------------------- Departs Time Arrives Time --------------------------------------------------------------------- Oakland 9:35 a.m. Maui 12:05 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Oakland 10:55 a.m. Honolulu 1:15 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Oakland 5:20 p.m. Honolulu 7:40 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Oakland 7:35 p.m. Hilo 9:55 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hilo 8:15 a.m. Oakland 4:15 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Maui 10:40 a.m. Oakland 6:35 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Honolulu 11:50 a.m. Oakland 7:50 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Honolulu 11:55 p.m. Oakland 7:55 a.m. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Full schedule begins April 28, 2006. Times above are local to the corresponding airport. Business seating is available.
Codeshare cities connecting to Hawaii out of Oakland include: (25) Austin, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Nashville, TN; Boise, ID; Burbank, CA; Baltimore, MD; Denver, CO; El Paso, TX; Houston, TX; Long Island/Islip, NY; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Kansas City, MO; Chicago-Midway, IL; Ontario, CA; Orlando, FL; Portland, OR; Phoenix, AZ; Raleigh/Durham, NC; Reno, NV; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Salt Lake City, UT; Santa Ana/Orange County, CA. Effective as of May 25, 2006.
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 round-trip. Oakland off-peak introductory fares are for travel 4/27-5/17/06 and must be purchased by 2/3/06, Midnight (EST). Oakland daily introductory fares are for travel 4/27-6/8/06 and must be purchased by 4/24/06, Midnight (EST). New York introductory fares are for travel 4/2-6/8/06 and must be purchased by 4/24/06, Midnight (EST). Fares are each way; off-peak (except Oakland/Honolulu $189 and Oakland/Maui $189 which are daily fares); based on round-trip purchase (except New York introductory 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. Not all destinations are served on a daily basis. 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.