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ATA Airlines

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ATA Logo
ATA Logo

ATA Airlines (formerly American Trans Air) is a discount airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It operates regular passenger as well as charter flights and flies to places like San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and Aguadilla in Puerto Rico and points in Hawaii.

ATA's major hub is Midway Airport in Chicago, Illinois.

History

American Trans Air was founded as a charter carrier in 1981, with a fleet of eight Boeing 707's based in Indianapolis. It added Boeing 727's to its fleet in 1984, Lockheed L-1011's in 1985, and Boeing 757's in 1989, and began scheduled flights in 1986 between Indianapolis and Fort Myers, Florida.

File:ATA 737NG.jpg
ATA Boeing 737-800

By the mid-1990's, ATA operated a sizable hub in Chicago and offered scheduled services throughout the continental U.S., as well as flights to Hawaii and extensive military air charter contracts. In 2000, ATA placed a large order for new Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 757-300 aircraft to expand its fleet for additional flights from Midway. That year, it also began scheduled flights to Mexico and was designated as a major carrier by the United States Department of Transportation. ATA Holdings, ATA's parent company, also owns the nations largest travel club, Ambassadair and commuter airline Chicago Express.

In 2004, it filed for Chapter 11. In December of 2004 it was bought out by Southwest Airlines, and will work as a subsidiary of the company. Sometime in 2005, the airline's main hub of operations will be moved to Indianapolis and the airline's main hub system at Chicago Midway will be significantly cut; it's routes will be given to Southwest. It will still maintain scheduled service from Indianapolis and from the West Coast to Hawaii, but will drop many destinations in exchange for Charters. The airline will also form a codeshare agreement with Southwest Airlines; a first for both carriers.

IATA Code

ATA Airlines uses the IATA designator code TZ.

Destinations