AirTran deciding whether to accelerate retirement of DC-9-30 fleet
Airtran is deciding shorthly if it will go ahead and accelarte the retirement of its DC-9-30's. This would result in a pre-tax charge of about $150million in the 4th quarter. Recall it is bringing in 50 new Boeing 717-200's to replace its aging 40 DC-9's. These new jets have 11 more seats so a 1:1 replacement will boost capacity by 8%.