INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 23, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- As part of a strategic effort aimed at providing more customers with affordable business and leisure travel options, ATA (ATA Airlines Inc.) (Pink Sheets:ATAHQ) today announced plans to begin service between William P. Hobby (Houston Hobby) and New York-LaGuardia. Starting April 2, 2006, ATA will offer 14 weekly nonstop flights between Houston and New York. The carrier will be the only airline to offer this nonstop service from Houston Hobby, located just seven miles south of downtown Houston.
Linking More Customers to Affordable, Convenient Travel
"By entering Houston, ATA is adding another crucial link in our codeshare partnership with Southwest Airlines while opening up our unique brand of service to thousands more value-minded travelers," said ATA Chairman, CEO and President John Denison. "With this additional route, codeshare passengers in cities like Austin, San Diego, Albuquerque and New Orleans will have an easy and low-cost alternative for reaching New York. Today's announcement only deepens our commitment to this codeshare, as it allows us to further link passengers in this part of the country with our nationwide network."
Expansion in the Southwest and on the West Coast
Via Houston, codeshare passengers from 11 different markets will be able to connect to New York-LaGuardia. Originating Houston travelers will also be able to reach Washington D.C. (DCA) via Chicago-Midway. At the same time ATA is introducing this service, the carrier will also add a fourth daily round-trip between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Chicago-Midway. Recently, ATA and Southwest Airlines announced the carriers were expanding their codeshare agreement to make it possible for passengers from either airline to fly on ATA from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Chicago-Midway and then connect on a single ticket to more than 40 destinations nationwide.
With today's announced expansion, ATA will also be significantly increasing its service from the West Coast to Hawaii. Starting April 27, 2006, ATA will offer two daily round-trips to Honolulu, one daily round-trip to Maui and one daily round-trip to the Hawaii city of Hilo from Oakland International Airport in the San Francisco Bay Area. These additions will double Oakland's available scheduled service to Hawaii and will replace ATA's current operations at San Francisco International Airport. Here, ATA is claiming another leading presence in a market as it will be the first low-cost carrier and only airline to offer nonstop service from Hilo to the mainland.
Finally, on April 28, 2006, ATA is initiating new daily nonstop, round-trip service between Honolulu and Ontario International Airport, located approximately 38 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. On May 25, 2006, ATA will provide an additional nonstop flight between Honolulu and Los Angeles International Airport. The expansion will make it possible for originating Houston travelers to reach Honolulu and Maui via the codeshare.
Low Introductory Fares
ATA is also offering its customers special introductory fares between Houston and New York-LaGuardia from as low as $89(a) (off-peak, nonstop, each way based on a 21-day advance purchase in coach class on ata.com) between New York-LaGuardia and other select destinations such as New Orleans from as low as $79(a) (off-peak, each way based on a 21-day advance purchase), and between Hawaii and the mainland from as low as $149(a) (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 Houston and New York-LaGuardia fares:
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To/From To/From Each-Way Valid for Must be
Fares From(a) Travel From Purchased
by:
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New York- Houston $89 4/2-6/8 4/24
LaGuardia nonstop only
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New York- Houston $99 (daily) 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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Corpus Christi+ New York- $99 4/2-6/8 4/24
LaGuardia
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Harlingen/ New York- $109 4/2-6/8 4/24
South Padre Island+ LaGuardia (daily)
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Above fares (except where noted) are off-peak, each way based on a 21-day advance purchase in coach class on ata.com. +Some flights operated by Southwest Airlines.
New Nonstop Service Details --------------------------------------------------------------------- Departs Time Arrives Time --------------------------------------------------------------------- Houston Hobby 10:30 a.m. New York-LaGuardia 2:30 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Houston Hobby 6:55 p.m. New York-LaGuardia 10:55 p.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- New York-LaGuardia 7:00 a.m. Houston Hobby 9:30 a.m. --------------------------------------------------------------------- New York-LaGuardia 3:30 p.m. Houston Hobby 6:00 p.m. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Codeshare cities connecting to New York-LaGuardia through Houston to include: (11) Albuquerque, NM; Austin, TX; Corpus Christi, TX; El Paso, TX; Harlingen/South Padre Island, TX; Midland, TX; New Orleans, LA; Oakland, CA; Phoenix, AZ; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, 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)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 and must be purchased by 4/24/06, Midnight (EST). Hawaii (Oakland/Honolulu) introductory fare for travel 4/27-5/17/06 and must be purchased by 2/3/06, Midnight (EST). Fares are each way; off-peak (except New York/Houston $99 and New York/Harlingen which are daily); do not require a round-trip purchase (except Hawaii-Oakland/Honolulu which is based on round-trip purchase); 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/from New York: Tue/Wed/Sat, to Hawaii: Mon-Wed, from Hawaii: Tue-Thu. Additional introductory fares available for peak travel days. 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.