AMTRAN INC
DEF 14A, 1999-04-09
AIR TRANSPORTATION, NONSCHEDULED
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                                                    April 2, 1999




Dear Shareholder:

              You  are  cordially  invited  to  attend  our  Annual  Meeting  of
Shareholders  at  10:00  a.m.  on  Tuesday,  May  11,  1999,  at  the  Company's
headquarters located at 7337 West Washington Street,  Indianapolis,  Indiana. We
will review  Amtran's  1998  performance  and answer any questions you may have.
Enclosed  with this Proxy Statement are your voting card and 1998 Annual Report.

              Amtran has  again chosen  to write  its 1999  Proxy  Statement  in
"plain  English."  We trust  you will like this new simplified format.

              I look forward to seeing you on May 11. Any shareholder  requiring
directions  to the meeting  should  contact  our  Secretary,  Brian T. Hunt,  at
317/240-7006.

                                                     Sincerely yours,



                                                     J. George Mikelsons
                                                     Chairman of the Board






<PAGE>



                                  NOTICE OF THE
                       1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                               AND PROXY STATEMENT


    The Annual  Meeting of Shareholders of Amtran, Inc. will be held on Tuesday,
May 11, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. at  the Company's headquarters  located at 7337 West
Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.  At the meeting, the shareholders will
consider and take action on the following:

          1.    Election of seven Directors: J. George Mikelsons, John P. Tague,
    Kenneth K. Wolff, James W. Hlavacek, Robert A. Abel, William P. Rogers, Jr.,
    and Andrejs P. Stipnieks, each for a term of one year;

          2.    Ratification of Ernst & Young as independent accountants for the
    fiscal year ending December 31, 1999; and

          3.    Transact any  other business properly before the Annual Meeting.

The Amtran Board of Directors recommends a vote "in favor of" both proposals.

     Shareholders of record at  the close of business on March 11, 1999, will be
entitled  to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.  A complete
list of shareholders entitled to vote will be  available at Amtran's offices for
a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting.

     This  Proxy  Statement,  voting  instruction card  and  Amtran, Inc.'s 1998
Annual Report to Shareholders are being  distributed on  or about April 2, 1999.
  
                                              By order of the Board of Directors



Dated:  April 2, 1999                         Brian T. Hunt
                                              Vice President and Secretary






<PAGE>


                                    PROXY STATEMENT
                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS..............................................           5

PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED UPON.........................................           7

BOARD OF DIRECTORS.................................................           8
     Board Meetings and Committees.................................           9
     Directors' Compensation.......................................           9
     Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions..........          10

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE...............................          11

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP TABLE.........................................          13

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE.........................................          15

OPTION GRANTS TABLE................................................          17

OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES........................          18

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH............................................          19








<PAGE>






                         Q U E S T I O N S   A N D   A N S W E R S
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  What am I voting on?

A:  o Re-election of  seven (7) directors (J. George  Mikelsons,  John P. Tague,
      Kenneth  K. Wolff, James  W. Hlavacek, Robert  A. Abel, William P. Rogers,
      Jr., and Andrejs P. Stipnieks); and
    o Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Amtran's independent accountants.
      (See page 3 for more details.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Who is entitled to vote?

A:  Shareholders  as of the  close of  business on  March 11,  1999 (the  Record
    Date),  are  entitled  to vote at the  Annual Meeting.  Each share of common
    stock is entitled to one vote.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  How do I vote?

A:  Sign and date each  proxy  card you  receive  and  return it in the  prepaid
    envelope. If you do not mark any  selections,  your proxy card will be voted
    in favor of both proposals. You have the right to revoke your proxy any time
    before the meeting by (1) notifying Amtran's Corporate Secretary, (2) voting
    in  person, or (3) returning a later-dated  proxy. If you return your signed
    proxy card, but do not indicate  your voting  preferences,  Kenneth K. Wolff
    and James W. Hlavacek will vote FOR the two proposals on your behalf.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Is my vote confidential?

A:  Yes. Proxy cards, ballots and voting  tabulations  that identify  individual
    shareholders  are confidential. Only the inspector of  election  and certain
    employees associated with processing proxy cards and counting the votes have
    access  to your  card.  Additionally,  any comments  directed to  management
    (whether written  on the proxy  card or elsewhere) will remain confidential,
    unless you ask that your name be disclosed.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Who will count the vote?

A:  Representatives  of  National  City Bank,  our Stock  Transfer  Agent,  will
    tabulate  the votes and act as inspector of election.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?

A:  It is an  indication  that your shares are  registered  differently  and are
    in more than one account. Sign and return all proxy cards to insure that all
    your shares are voted.



<PAGE>



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  What constitutes a quorum?

A:  As of the Record Date, 12,225,513 shares of Amtran  common stock were issued
    and  outstanding.  A majority of  the outstanding  shares, present or repre-
    sented by proxy, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the
    Annual Meeting. If you submit a properly executed proxy card,  then you will
    be considered  part of the quorum.  If  you are present or  represented by a
    proxy  at the Annual Meeting and you abstain from  voting,  your  abstention
    will have the same effect as a vote against such proposal.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Who can attend the Annual Meeting?

A:  All shareholders as of the Record Date can attend.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  What percentage of stock do the Amtran directors own?

A:  Together, they own approximately  74% of our  common  stock as of the Record
    Date.  (See page 10 for more details.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Who are the largest principal shareholders?

A:  J. George  Mikelsons owned  8,395,500 shares, or 69%, as  of March 11, 1999.
    Dimensional  Fund  Avisors,  Inc. owned  616,900  shares, or  5%, as of Dec-
    ember 31, 1998.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  When are the 1999 shareholder proposals due?

A:  In  order to be  considered  for  inclusion in next year's proxy  statement,
    shareholder proposals must be submitted to  Amtran in writing  no later than
    December 2, 1999.

    For a  shareholder proposal that is not intended to be included  in Amtran's
    proxy  materials but is intended  to be raised by  the shareholder  from the
    floor at next year's Annual Meeting,  the  shareholder  must provide advance
    notice no later than  February  15, 2000.  If  a proposal is received  after
    that  date,  Amtran's  proxy for  next year's Annual Meeting may confer dis-
    cretionary authority to vote on such matter.

    Shareholder proposals and related  notices  should be sent to Brian T. Hunt,
    Corporate  Secretary, 7337  West  Washington  Street, Indianapolis,  Indiana
    46231.



<PAGE>



                P R O P O S A L S   T O   B E   V O T E D   U P O N
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



1.  Re-election of Directors

    Nominees for re-election this year are J. George Mikelsons,  John P.  Tague,
    Kenneth  K.  Wolff,  James W. Hlavacek,  Robert A.  Abel, William P. Rogers,
    Jr., and Andrejs P. Stipnieks.  All directors are elected  to serve one-year
    terms. (See pages 4 and 5 for more information.)

    We  need the  affirmative  vote of a  majority of the outstanding  shares of
    common  stock to elect the nominees. Your Board recommends a vote FOR  these
    directors. Abstentions and votes withheld  for directors will have the  same
    effect as votes against.


2.  Ratification of Ernst & Young as Independent Accountants

    Ernst & Young  has been our independent public  accountants for the past six
    years.  The Audit  Committee  and the  Board  believe  that  Ernst & Young's
    long-term  knowledge of  Amtran is  invaluable.  Representatives  of Ernst &
    Young  have direct  access  to members of  the Audit Committee and regularly
    attend  their  meetings.  Representatives  of Ernst & Young will  attend the
    Annual Meeting to answer any shareholder  questions  and to make a statement
    if they desire to do so.

    In  1998, the Audit  Committee (1) reviewed  all services  provided by Ernst
    & Young to insure  that they were  within the scope  previously  approved by
    the Committee,  and (2) concluded that the non-audit  services  performed by
    Ernst & Young for Amtran or its subsidiaries did not impair its independence
    as Amtran's accountants.

    We need  the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or
    by  proxy and  entitled to  vote at  the meeting  in order to ratify Ernst &
    Young as independent accountants for 1999-2000. The  Audit Committee and the
    Board  recommend  a vote  FOR Ernst & Young  as independent  accountants for
    1999-2000.




<PAGE>



                       B O A R D  O F  D I R E C T O R S
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


J. GEORGE  MIKELSONS                                        Director  since 1993
J. George Mikelsons, age 61, is the founder,  Chairman of the Board  and,  prior
to  the Company's initial public  offering in May 1993, was the sole shareholder
of the Company.  Mr. Mikelsons  founded American Trans Air, Inc. and Ambassadair
Travel Club, Inc. in 1973. Mr. Mikelsons currently serves on several  boards  of
directors,  including  The  Indianapolis  Zoo;  the Indianapolis  Convention and
Visitors  Association, where he is a member of the Executive Committee;  and IWC
Resources  Corporation (formerly the Indianapolis Water Company).  Mr. Mikelsons
has  been  an  airline  Captain  since 1966 and  remains current  on several jet
aircraft.

                                                                Director 1993-95
JOHN P. TAGUE                                         Director July 1997-present
John P. Tague,  age 36, was named President and Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Company in July 1997. He had  previously  served as the Company's  President and
Chief  Operating  Officer  since  October 1993 before  resigning to form his own
aviation  consulting  company  in 1995.  Prior to his  tenure  as the  Company's
President and Chief Operating Officer, he was Executive Vice President from June
1993 to  October  1993.  Prior  to that  time,  he was  Senior  Vice  President,
Marketing and Sales, of the Company. From May 1991 to November 1991, he was Vice
President  of  Marketing  and Sales for the  Company.  Mr. Tague was employed at
Midway Airlines from 1985 to 1991 in the following positions:  from 1990 to 1991
as the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Planning; from 1988 to 1990 as the
Vice  President  of  Marketing  and  Planning;  from  1987 to  1988 as the  Vice
President of Planning and from 1985 to 1987 as the Director,  Airline  Planning.
Prior to  joining  Midway  Airlines  in 1985,  Mr.  Tague  was a  transportation
consultant and held various positions at a regional airline. Mr. Tague serves on
the Board of Directors of the Air Transport Association.

JAMES W. HLAVACEK                                            Director since 1993
James W. Hlavacek, age 62, was appointed Chief  Operating Officer of the Company
in 1995.  He continues  to serve as Executive  Vice  President  of  the  Company
and  President  of  ATA  Training Corporation. From  1986  to  1989, he was  the
Company's  Vice  President  of  Operations.  Mr.  Hlavacek has been a commercial
airline pilot for more than 30 years and has held the rank of Captain for nearly
29 years.  He was ATA's Chief Pilot from 1985 to 1986.  Mr.  Hlavacek  serves on
the Board of Directors of the National Air Carrier Association.  Mr. Hlavacek is
a graduate of the University of Illinois.

KENNETH K. WOLFF                                            Director  since 1993
Kenneth K. Wolff,  age 53, was  appointed Executive Vice President and the Chief
Financial  Officer of  the Company  in 1991.  From  1990  to  1991,  he  was the
Company's  Senior  Vice  President  and  Chief  Financial Officer.  From 1989 to
1990,  he was President  and Chief  Executive Officer of First of America Bank -
Indianapolis (which  is a lender under  certain  of  the  Company's  credit fac-
ilities). From 1988 to 1989, he was President and  Chief  Operating  Officer  of
this  bank.  Prior to  his appointment as President of the bank, he held various
positions at  the bank since 1969. He is a graduate of Purdue  University with a
B.S. Degree in Industrial Management. Mr. Wolff also holds a Masters in Business
Administration from Indiana University and was a member of the faculty there for
five years.

ROBERT A. ABEL                                              Director  since 1993
Robert A.  Abel, age  46, is a  director in the public  accounting  firm of Blue
& Co., LLC. Mr. Abel is a magna cum laude graduate of  Indiana State  University
with a B.S. Degree in Accounting.  He is a certified public accountant with over
20 years of public accounting experience in the areas of auditing and  corporate
tax.  He has  been involved  with aviation  accounting and  finance since  1976.
Blue & Co., LLC  provides  tax and accounting  services to  the Company  in con-
nection with selected matters.



<PAGE>


WILLIAM P. ROGERS, JR.                                       Director since 1993
William P. Rogers, Jr.,  age 49,  is a  partner  in the  New  York law  firm  of
Cravath,  Swaine & Moore.  After graduating from Case Western Reserve University
School  of Law in  1978, he  served  as a  clerk in the United  States Court  of
Appeals for the Sixth Circuit based in Cincinnati. He joined the Cravath  firm a
year later and became a partner in 1985.  Cravath, Swaine & Moore provides legal
services  to the  Company  in  connection  with selected matters.

ANDREJS P.  STIPNIEKS                                       Director  since 1993
Andrejs P.  Stipnieks,  age 58, is a consultant  on   corporatization  and  pri-
vatization of government business enterprises.  He graduated from the University
of Adelaide, South Australia, and is a Barrister  and  Solicitor  of the Supreme
Courts of  South  Australia,  the  Australian Capital Territory  and of the High
Court of  Australia. Until 1998, Mr. Stipnieks was a Senior Government Solicitor
in  the Australian  Attorney General's Department,  specializing in aviation and
surface  transport law and practice. He has  represented  Australia on the Legal
Committee of the International Civil Aviation Organization at Montreal.


Board Meetings and Committees

              During 1998,  the Board of Directors  held five (5) meetings.  All
directors  attended each Board  meeting and each meeting of those  Committees on
which he served.  The Board of Directors has Audit and Compensation  Committees.
The Company does not have a standing nominating committee.

              The Audit Committee,  which is comprised of Messrs.  Rogers,  Abel
and Wolff,  meets with the independent  accountants of the Company,  reviews the
audit plan for the  Company,  reviews the annual  audit of the Company  with the
accountants,  recommends whether the accountants should be continued as auditors
for the Company, reviews the Company's internal controls and performs such other
duties as shall be delegated to the Audit  Committee by the Board of  Directors.
The Audit Committee met three (3) times in 1998.

              The Compensation  Committee,  comprised of non-employee  directors
Abel and Stipnieks,  establishes  compensation policies and compensation for the
Company's officers. The Compensation Committee met four (4) times in 1998.

Directors' Compensation

              Each non-employee  director received an annual retainer of $18,000
for  serving on the Board,  an annual fee of $2,500 for serving as Chairman of a
Committee,  a fee of $2,000  for each Board of  Directors  meeting  attended  in
person and a fee of $1,000 for each Committee meeting attended in person. Amtran
also pays its non-employee  directors if they participate in Board and Committee
meetings by telephone.

              Each  non-employee  director  also  receives  options to  purchase
shares of the Company's  Common Stock pursuant to the Amtran,  Inc. Stock Option
Plan for  Non-Employee  Directors  (the "Stock  Option  Plan").  Under the Stock
Option Plan,  Eligible Directors  receive:  (1) a one-time grant of an option to
purchase  2,000 shares  following  his election or  appointment  to the Board of
Directors;  and (2) for as long as he remains an  Eligible  Director,  an annual
grant of an option to purchase 500 shares on the 30th day following  each annual
meeting of shareholders.

              Section 16(a) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Company's  directors  and  executive  officers and persons who own more than ten
percent  of the  Company's  shares  to file  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  and  Nasdaq  reports  on their  ownership  of shares of the  Company
(so-called  16(a) forms).  Based solely on its review of copies of such reports,
the  Company  believes  that  its  directors   complied  with  all  such  filing
requirements.



<PAGE>



Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions

              Mr.  Mikelsons  is the sole  owner of  Betaco,  Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation  ("Betaco").  Betaco currently owns two airplanes (a Cessna Citation
II and a Lear  Jet) and  three  helicopters  (a Bell  206B Jet  Ranger  III,  an
Aerospatiale  355F2 Twin Star and a Bell 206L-3  LongRanger).  The two airplanes
and the Twin Star and  LongRanger  helicopters  are leased to ATA.  The  Company
believes that the current terms of the leases with Betaco for this equipment are
no less  favorable to the Company  than those that could be obtained  from third
parties.

              The lease for the  Cessna  Citation  currently  requires a monthly
payment of  $37,500.  The lease for the Lear Jet  requires a monthly  payment of
$42,000. The lease for the JetRanger III currently requires a monthly payment of
$7,000.  The lease for the Aerospatiale 355F2 Twin Star requires a monthly lease
payment of $12,000,  and the lease for the LongRanger requires a monthly payment
of $11,200.

              Betaco and Mr. Hlavacek own 100% of the interest in Delta Aviation
LLC, an Indiana limited  liability  corporation.  Delta Aviation owns a Beech A3
Bonanza  aircraft and leases the aircraft to American  Trans Air ExecuJet,  Inc.
The lease for this  aircraft  currently  requires a payment of $55.00 per flight
hour if the aircraft is utilized by ExecuJet or ATA.

              Mr. Rogers,  Chairman of the Audit Committee,  is a partner in the
law firm of  Cravath,  Swaine & Moore,  which  provided  legal  services  to the
Company in 1998. Mr. Abel, Chairman of the Compensation  Committee, is a partner
in the  accounting  firm of Blue & Co., LLC,  which  provided tax and accounting
services to the Company in 1998.






<PAGE>


    R E P O R T   O F   T H E   C O M P E N S A T I O N   C O M M I T T E E
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



What is our compensation philosophy?

      The  objectives of  Amtran's  executive compensation  programs are to: (i)
attract and retain talented and experienced executives with compensation that is
competitive  with other U.S.  airlines of a size  comparable to ATA, (ii) reward
outstanding performance and provide incentives based on individual and corporate
performance,  and (iii) use  restricted  stock  and stock  options  to align the
interests of management with those of the shareholders.

      The  Compensation  Committee (the  "Committee") is  responsible for admin-
istering  the  Company's  compensation  policies  and  programs,  including  its
incentive  compensation  programs.  The  Committee  currently  consists  of  two
independent non-employee directors, Robert A. Abel and Andrejs P. Stipnieks. Mr.
Abel, Chairman of the Committee,  is a director in the accounting firm of Blue &
Co., LLC. Mr. Abel's firm provided tax and accounting  service to the Company in
1998.

      As  discussed  below,  the  elements of  compensation  used by the Company
include salaries and short-term and long-term incentive programs,  including the
award of cash bonuses and stock options.


How do we determine base pay?

      The  base pay for Mr. Mikelsons and Mr. Tague reflects Amtran's  objective
to  maintain  salary  levels  that are  competitive  with those  offered by U.S.
airlines  of a size  comparable  to ATA for  comparable  positions,  taking into
consideration a number of factors, as described below.

Mr. Mikelsons' 1998 Base Pay

      In  establishing  a  base  salary  for  Mr.   Mikelsons,   the  Committee
considered:

      - analyses  prepared  for  the Committee of  the salary  and other compen-
        sation  paid  by  other U.S. airlines  for executives holding comparable
        positions.
      - a compensation analysis prepared by an independent consultant.
      - the fact that Mr. Mikelsons would not  participate  in any  equity-based
        incentive  compensation  plan or incentive cash bonus of the Company and
        the fact  that no increase in  base salary over 1997 was being proposed.
      - his age, experience and responsibilities.

       Each  of  these  listed  factors  was  evaluated  by the  Committee  on a
subjective  basis,  and no  particular  weighting  was  given to any  particular
factor.  The Committee  also sought to maintain the same  relative  relationship
between  the  salary  levels of  different  officers  as exists  for  comparable
positions at other U.S.  airlines.  After  considering  the above  factors,  the
Committee approved a base salary for the Chairman for 1998 of $688,194. Based on
a compensation  analysis available to the Committee,  such base salary is higher
than the  base  salaries  paid by most  other  airlines  to  executives  holding
comparable  positions but, given the absence of any stock-based  compensation or
incentive cash bonus,  total compensation was in between the median and the 75th
percentile  of total  annual  cash  compensation,  and below  the  median of the
three-year  average of annualized total  compensation paid by the other airlines
included in the analysis.




<PAGE>


Mr. Tague's 1998 Base Pay

       In establishing a base salary for Mr. Tague, the Committee considered:

      - analyses prepared for the Committee of the salary and other compensation
        paid by other U.S. airlines for executives holding comparable positions.
        a compensation analysis prepared by an independent consultant.
      - his age, experience and responsibilities.

       Each  of  these  listed  factors  was  evaluated  by the  Committee  on a
subjective  basis,  and no  particular  weighting  was  given to any  particular
factor.  The Committee  also sought to maintain the same  relative  relationship
between  the  salary  levels of  different  officers  as exists  for  comparable
positions at other U.S.  airlines.  After  considering  the above  factors,  the
Committee  approved an annual base salary for Mr. Tague of $496,153.  Based on a
compensation analysis available to the Committee, such base salary is in between
the  median  and the 75th  percentile  of the  base  salary  paid by most  other
airlines  to  executives  holding  comparable   positions.   Mr.  Tague's  total
compensation, including bonus and long-term incentive compensation, is below the
median of the annual  compensation  paid by the other  airlines  included in the
analysis.


How are annual bonuses determined?

       Annual bonuses are paid in cash in the year following performance,  based
on achievement of predetermined corporate and  individual goals.  Mr.  Mikelsons
was  not eligible for  a  bonus  payment  in  1998.  Mr. Tague's  1998 bonus was
$800,000.


How are Amtran's  incentive  compensation  programs used to focus  management on
increasing shareholder value?

       In 1997,  the  Company  adopted  the 1996  Incentive  Stock  Plan for Key
Employees of Amtran,  Inc. (the  "Incentive  Stock  Plan").  Under the Incentive
Stock Plan,  which is administered  by the Committee,  key employees may receive
awards of stock options and restricted stock. The purpose of the Incentive Stock
Plan is, among other  things,  to provide  incentives to those key employees who
have the capacity for contributing substantially to the growth and profitability
of the  Company,  and  to  assist  the  Company  in  attracting,  retaining  and
motivating  such  employees.  In addition,  the Incentive  Stock Plan provides a
means to more closely align the interests of management  employees with those of
shareholders.

       In 1998,  the  Committee  awarded stock options  covering an aggregate of
175,000 shares of Common Stock to the Company's President and two Executive Vice
Presidents.  No  awards of  stock options or  restricted  stock were made to the
Chairman, who does not participate in this program.  The option  awards made  in
1998 vest over a three-year  period commencing approximately one year  after the
grant date.  Additional  information on  the awards  made in 1998  appears else-
where  in this Proxy  Statement. The Company encourages participants to hold the
stock received through the exercise of stock  options as a long-term investment.


                                             Compensation Committee

                                             Robert A. Abel, Chairman
                                             Andrejs P. Stipnieks




<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         B E N E F I C I A L   O W N E R S H I P
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       This table  indicates  the number of shares of Common  Stock owned by (i) the executive officers; 
(ii) the directors; (iii) any person known by management to  beneficially  own more than 5% of such  stock;
and (iv) all  directors  and executive officers of the Company as a group as of March 11, 1999.



                                                     Number of Shares                   Percent of Class
Name and Address of Individual/Group                 Beneficially Owned               (If More Than 1%)
- ------------------------------------                 ------------------               -----------------

<S>                                                         <C>                                <C>
J. George Mikelsons                                         8,395,500                          69
7337 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46231

John P. Tague                                                126,274 (1)                        --

James W. Hlavacek                                            172,667 (2)                        --

Kenneth K. Wolff                                             171,167 (3)                        --

Dalen D. Thomas                                              130,000 (4)                        --

Robert A. Abel                                                 8,000 (5)                        --

William P. Rogers, Jr.                                         8,500 (5)                        --

Andrejs P. Stipnieks                                           4,500 (5)                        --

Stanley L. Pace                                                 -0-                             --

Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.                               616,900 (6)                         5
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401

All directors and executive officers
as a group7 (excluding J. George Mikelsons)                  621,108 (8)                         5






                                                                                               (Footnotes are on next page)
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
- --------

1   Includes  presently  exercisable  options to  purchase:  (a)  87,879  shares
    granted on June 22, 1997, under the Company's 1996 Incentive Stock Plan; and
    (b) 25,000 shares granted on January 12, 1998, under said Plan.

2   Includes  presently  exercisable  options to  purchase:  (a)  36,000  shares
    granted on July 7, 1993,  under the Company's 1993 Incentive  Stock Plan for
    Key  Employees;  (b) 3,333 shares  granted on February 25, 1994,  under said
    Plan;  (c) 6,000 shares  granted on February 14, 1995,  under said Plan; (d)
    26,099 shares granted on March 21, 1996,  under said Plan; (e) 32,000 shares
    granted on May 13, 1997,  under the Company's 1996 Incentive Stock Plan; and
    (f) 16,667  shares  granted on January 12, 1998,  under the  Company's  1996
    Incentive Stock Plan.

3   Includes  presently  exercisable  options to  purchase:  (a)  36,000  shares
    granted on July 7, 1993,  under the Company's 1993 Incentive  Stock Plan for
    Key Employees;  (b) 10,000 shares  granted on February 25, 1994,  under said
    Plan;  (c) 5,000 shares  granted on February 14, 1995,  under said Plan; (d)
    30,000 shares granted on March 21, 1996,  under said Plan; (e) 32,000 shares
    granted on May 13, 1997,  under the Company's 1996 Incentive Stock Plan; (f)
    20,000 shares  granted on June 20, 1997,  under the Company's 1996 Incentive
    Stock Plan;  and (g) 16,667  shares  granted on January 12, 1998,  under the
    Company's 1996 Incentive Stock Plan.

4   Consists  of  presently  exercisable options to purchase 130,000 shares pur-
    suant to options  granted under the Company's 1996  Incentive Stock  Plan on
    August 9, 1996.

5   Includes presently exercisable options to purchase 4,000 shares each granted
    to Messrs.  Abel, Rogers and Stipnieks under the Company's Stock Option Plan
    for Non-Employee Directors.

6   Dimensional Fund Advisors,  Inc.  ("Dimensional"),  a registered  investment
    advisor, is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 616,900 shares of Amtran,
    Inc.  stock  as of  December  31,  1998,  all of  which  shares  are held in
    portfolios of DFA Investment  Dimensions  Group Inc., a registered  open-end
    investment  company,  or in series of the DFA Investment  Trust  Company,  a
    Delaware business trust, or the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation  Group
    Trust,  investment  vehicles for qualified  employee  benefit plans,  all of
    which   Dimensional  Fund  Advisors  Inc.  serves  as  investment   manager.
    Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares.

7   Group  consists of eight  persons (Messrs. Tague,  Hlavacek,  Wolff, Thomas,
    Abel, Rogers, Pace and Stipnieks.)

8   Includes  presently  exercisable  options to  purchase:  (a)  87,879  shares
    granted on June 22, 1997,  and 25,000 shares granted on January 12, 1998, to
    Mr. Tague under the Company's 1996  Incentive  Stock Plan; (b) 36,000 shares
    each  granted  to Messrs.  Wolff and  Hlavacek  on July 7,  1993,  under the
    Company's  1993  Incentive  Stock Plan for Key  Employees;  (c) 3,333 shares
    granted to Mr.  Hlavacek and 10,000 shares  granted to Mr. Wolff on February
    25,  1994,  under said Plan;  (d) 6,000 shares  granted to Mr.  Hlavacek and
    5,000 shares granted to Mr. Wolff on February 14, 1995, under said Plan; (e)
    26,099 shares granted to Mr. Hlavacek and 30,000 shares granted to Mr. Wolff
    on March 21,  1996,  under said  Plan;  (f) 32,000  shares  each  granted to
    Messrs.  Wolff  and  Hlavacek  on May 13,  1997,  under the  Company's  1996
    Incentive  Stock Plan;  (g) 20,000  shares  granted to Mr. Wolff on June 20,
    1997,  under the Company's 1996 Incentive Stock Plan; (h) 16,667 shares each
    granted  to  Messrs.  Wolff and  Hlavacek  on January  12,  1998,  under the
    Company's  1996  Incentive  Stock Plan;  (i) 130,000  shares  granted to Mr.
    Thomas on August 9, 1996, under the Company's 1996 Incentive Stock Plan; and
    (j) 4,000 shares each granted to Messrs.  Abel,  Rogers and Stipnieks  under
    the Company's Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         S U M M A R Y   C O M P E N S A T I O N   T A B L E
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       This table shows the compensation  paid or accrued to the Chairman of the Board, three executive 
officers and two former executive officers for services rendered during the last three fiscal years.


                                                                                      Long-Term
                                           Annual Compensation                      Compensation
                                                                  Other
                                                                 Annual          Securities   Restricted
      Name and                                                   Compen-        Underlying       Stock       All Other
 Principal Position             Year     Salary($)   Bonus($)    sation($)      Options (#)   Awards($)   Compensation($)
- -------------------             ----     ---------   --------    ---------      -----------   ---------   ---------------

<S>                             <C>      <C>           <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>            <C>
J. George Mikelsons,            1998     688,194       None        None            None         None         3,840 (1)
Chairman of the Board           1997     688,194       None        None            None         None         2,249 (2)
                                1996     688,194       None        None            None         None         2,700 (3)

John P. Tague,                  1998     496,153     800,000       None          75,000 (4)     None         2,308 (1)
President and Chief Executive   1997     184,614       None        None         300,000 (5)     None          None
Officer                         1996       None (6)    None        None            None         None          None


James W. Hlavacek,              1998     323,942     390,000       None          50,000 (7)     None         3,840 (1)
Executive Vice President        1997     295,192      38,675       None         108,000 (8)     None         2,249 (2)
and Chief Operating Officer     1996     285,577       None        None          30,000 (9)     None         2,700 (3)

Kenneth K. Wolff,               1998     323,942     390,000       None          50,000 (7)     None         3,840 (1)
Executive Vice President and    1997     295,192      38,675       None         108,000 (8)     None         2,249 (2)
Chief Financial Officer         1996     285,577       None        None          30,000 (9)     None         2,700 (3)

Dalen D. Thomas,                1998     221,684(10) 300,877       None            None         None         3,840 (1)
Former Senior Vice President,   1997     206,154      32,500       None            None         None         1,082 (2)
Sales and Marketing             1996      69,231      24,000         (11)        300,000(12)    None          None

Stanley L. Pace, (13)           1998        None        None       None            None         None          None
Former President and            1997     257,828   2,000,000       None            None         None          None
Chief Executive Officer         1996     173,077   1,132,000         (14)        750,000(15)    None          None



- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
1   Represents the amount of the Company's matching contribution to its 401(k)
    Plan in 1998.

2   Represents the amount of the Company's matching contribution to its 401(k)
    Plan in 1997.

3   Represents the amount of the Company's matching contribution to its 401(k)
    Plan in 1996.

4   Pursuant to the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan for Key Employees of Amtran, Inc.,
    the grant of options to Mr. Tague to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company's
    stock shall  become  exercisable  as to the  following  aggregate  number of
    shares on and after each of the following  dates:  January 10, 1999 - 25,000
    shares;  January  10,  2000 - 25,000  shares;  and January 10, 2001 - 25,000
    shares.

5   Pursuant to the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan for Key Employees of Amtran, Inc.,
    the  grant  of  options  to Mr.  Tague to  purchase  300,000  shares  of the
    Company's  stock shall  become  exercisable  as to the  following  aggregate
    number of shares on and after each of the following  dates:  June 20, 1998 -
    100,000 shares;  June 20, 1999 - 100,000 shares; and June 20, 2000 - 100,000
    shares.

6   Mr. Tague was not employed by the Company in 1996.

7   Pursuant to the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan for Key Employees of Amtran, Inc.,
    the grant of options to Messrs. Hlavacek and Wolff to purchase 50,000 shares
    each of the  Company's  stock shall become  exercisable  as to the following
    aggregate number of shares on and after each of the following dates: January
    10, 1999 - 16,667 shares;  January 10, 2000 - 16,667 shares; and January 10,
    2001 - 16,666 shares.

8   Pursuant to the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan for Key Employees of Amtran, Inc.,
    the grant of options  to  Messrs.  Hlavacek  and Wolff to  purchase  108,000
    shares  each of the  Company's  stock  shall  become  exercisable  as to the
    following  aggregate  number of shares  on and after  each of the  following
    dates:  January 10,  1998 - 16,000  shares;  June 20, 1998 - 20,000  shares;
    January 10, 1999 - 16,000 shares; June 20, 1999 - 20,000 shares; January 10,
    2000 - 16,000 shares; and June 20, 2000 - 20,000 shares.

9   Pursuant to the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan for Key Employees of Amtran, Inc.,
    the grant of options to Messrs. Hlavacek and Wolff to purchase 30,000 shares
    each of the Company's  stock is  exercisable  as to the following  aggregate
    number of shares on and after each of the following dates:  March 25, 1997 -
    10,000 shares;  March 25, 1998 - 10,000 shares;  and March 25, 1999 - 10,000
    shares.

10  Mr. Thomas  resigned from his position as Senior Vice  President,  Sales and
    Marketing, effective November 2, 1998.

11  The terms of Mr.  Thomas's  employment  arrangement  included the  Company's
    purchase  of his home in Texas.  The  Company  paid Mr.  Thomas  the  home's
    appraised value.

12  Pursuant to the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan for Key Employees of Amtran, Inc.,
    the  grant of  options  to Mr.  Thomas  to  purchase  300,000  shares of the
    Company's  stock was  exercisable  as to the following  aggregate  number of
    shares on and after  each of the  following  dates:  August 9, 1996 - 75,000
    shares; April 9, 1997 - 75,000 shares; December 9, 1997 - 75,000 shares; and
    August 9, 1998 - 75,000 shares.

13  Mr. Pace resigned from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer
    on May 24, 1997.

14  The terms of Mr. Pace's employment arrangement with the Company included the
    Company's  purchase of Mr.  Pace's home in Texas.  The Company paid Mr. Pace
    the acquisition cost of the home.

15  Pursuant to the 1996 Incentive Stock Plan for Key Employees of Amtran, Inc.,
    Mr. Pace forfeited these options when he resigned.


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                           O P T I O N   G R A N T S   T A B L E
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       This table shows the option grants in 1998 to the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table.

                                                    Individual Grants
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                    <C>                       <C>                        <C>                 <C>            <C>  
                        Number of Securities      % of Total Options  
                         Underlying Options      Granted To Employees         Exercise        Expiration      Grant Date
      Name                    Granted               In Fiscal Year       Price/Share($)          Date     Present Value($)(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

J. George Mikelsons           -0-                      -0-                   --                  --             --

John P. Tague                75,0002                    13                  8.00            1/10/2008        377,337

James W. Hlavacek            50,0003                     9                  8.00            1/10/2008        251,558

Kenneth K. Wolff             50,0003                     9                  8.00            1/10/2008        251,558

Dalen D. Thomas               -0-                       -0-                   --                 --             --

Stanley L. Pace               -0-                       -0-                   --                 --             --





1   Option values reflect Black-Scholes model output for options.  The assumptions used in the model were expected
    volatility of .44, risk-free  rate of return of 5.00%, dividend yield of 0% and  time to  exercise of five (5)
    years.  Additionally, a 5% discount was applied to reflect a  three-year vesting period.

2   See Footnote 4 to Summary Compensation Table on vesting of Options.

3   See Footnote 7 to Summary Compensation Table on vesting of Options.


</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          O P T I O N   E X E R C I S E S   AND
                                         Y E A R-E N D   O P T I O N  V A L U E S
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       This table  shows the number and value of stock  options  (exercised  and unexercised) for the named
individuals during 1998.
                                                                                 
                                                                                                  Value of
                                                                                                In-The-Money
                              Shares                           Number of Securities            Options At Fiscal
                             Acquired        Value           Underlying Unexercised                Year-End
                           On Exercise      Realized      Options At Fiscal Year-End           Exercisable (E)/
      Name                      (#)            ($)                                            Unexercisable (U)
                                                          Exercisable     Unexercisable
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                             <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>                      <C>
J. George Mikelsons             0               0               0              0                        0

John P. Tague                   0               0           100,000        275,000                $1,859,000(E)
                                                                                                   5,131,000(U)

James W. Hlavacek             42,568         744,405         77,432        132,000                 1,063,596(E)
                                                                                                   2,388,480(U)

Kenneth K. Wolff              13,000         165,350        107,000        132,000                 1,580,430(E)
                                                                                                   2,388,480(U)

Dalen D. Thomas              160,000       2,648,932        140,000            0                   2,769,200(E)
                                                                                                        0(U)

Stanley L. Pace                 0               0               0              0                        0

</TABLE>

Pension Plans

         The Company has no pension plans.

401(k) Plan

       Under the American  Trans Air, Inc.  Employees'  Retirement  Savings Plan
(the "401(k) Plan"),  adopted on October 1, 1985, eligible employees could elect
to defer up to 15% of their salary into the 401(k) Plan, not to exceed statutory
limits.  Generally,  all  employees  meeting  a  minimum-hours  requirement  are
eligible to  participate  in the 401(k) Plan.  The Company has the discretion to
make matching  contributions  to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of  participants  who
have made salary  reduction  contributions  under the Plan. In 1998, the Company
contributed  $.40 ($.30 for  flight  attendants  by  contract)  for each  dollar
contributed  to  the  Plan  by  eligible   participants,   up  to  6%  of  their
compensation.  Moreover,  an employee stock  ownership  feature was added to the
401(k) Plan in May 1993.  The ATA Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan ("ESOP") is a
mechanism  for the Company to award  shares of Company  stock for years in which
profits occur.  Addition of this benefit  permits  eligible  employees to become
shareholders  of the  Company  and  share in its  potential  future  growth  and
profitability.   Generally,  the  eligibility  requirements  for  the  ESOP  are
identical to those of the 401(k) Plan, except an employee may be eligible for an
ESOP  contribution  of Company  stock even if the employee did not elect pre-tax
401(k) Plan contributions.

       In those  years in which the Company  experiences  profits and chooses to
make an ESOP  contribution,  the 401(k) Plan accounts of eligible employees will
be credited with full and/or fractional shares of Company stock.  Shares will be
allocated based on  compensation.  In 1998,  33,021 shares of Company stock were
allocated to 401(k) Plan participant accounts.



<PAGE>




                     S T O C K  P E R F O R M A N C E  G R A P H
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    This  performance graph compares  the 1998  total shareholder return  on the
Company's Common Stock with the Nasdaq Stock Market-U.S. Index and the Company's
peer group.  The  peer group selected  by the Company consists  of the following
companies: Alaska Air Group, Inc., America  West Holdings Corporation, AMR Corp.
(American  Airlines), Amtran, Inc., Continental Airlines, Inc., Delta Air Lines,
Inc., HAL, Inc. (Hawaiian  Airlines), Reno  Air, Inc., Southwest  Airlines  Co.,
Tower  Air Inc., US  Airways Group, Inc., UAL Corp.(United  Airlines) and World-
corp, Inc. (World Airlines).

                               Comaprison of Five-Year Cumulative
                                Total Return* Among The Company,
                            Nasdaq Market-U.S. Index And A Peer Group

Date                  Amtran, Inc.       Peer Group     Nasdaq Stock Market-U.S.
1/1/1994                 $100.00           $100.00             $100.00
12/31/1994               $ 64.10           $ 64.68             $ 97.76
12/31/1995               $130.77           $103.01             $138.26
12/31/1996               $ 71.80           $117.51             $170.02
12/31/1997               $ 80.77           $190.41             $208.58
12/31/1998               $278.21           $174.98             $293.20

* Total return  based on $100 initital investment and reinvestment of dividends.





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