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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report: September 22, 1999
Commission File No.: 0-26914
AirTran Holdings, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada 58-2189551
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
9955 AirTran Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32827
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(407) 251-5600
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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Item 5. Other Events. On September 21, 1999, AirTran Holdings, Inc. provided
certain forward-looking information to the media related to its financial
performance in the third quarter of 1999. Certain of the information contained
in the statements to the media and in this 8-K filing should be considered
"forward-looking information" which is subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties. The preparation of forward-looking information requires the use
of estimates of future revenues, expenses, activity levels and economic and
market conditions, many of which are outside of AirTran Holdings' control.
Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
set forth in the forward-looking information include: economic conditions, labor
costs, aviation fuel costs, competitive pressures on pricing, weather
conditions, government legislation, consumer perceptions of AirTran Holdings'
products, demand for air transportation in the markets in which AirTran Holdings
operates and other risks and uncertainties AirTran Holdings' listed from time to
time in AirTran Holdings' reports to the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. Other factors and assumptions not identified above are also involved
in the preparation of forward-looking information, and the failure of such other
factors and assumptions to be realized may also cause actual results to differ
materially from those discussed. AirTran Holdings assumes no obligation to
update such estimates to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or
changes in other factors affecting such estimates.
AirTran Holdings chairman and chief executive officer Joseph B. Leonard
confirmed in a media interview with CNBC on September 21, 1999 that he expects
the company to be profitable in the current fiscal quarter. Mr. Leonard also
reported that the company would not meet the earnings expectations of industry
analysts for the third quarter ended September 30, 1999.
AirTran Holdings expects that it will achieve a significant improvement in
year-over-year results reflecting among other things, a double-digit increase in
year-over-year unit revenue growth and other management initiatives. AirTran
Holdings reported a loss of 17 cents per share in the third quarter of 1998.
AirTran Holdings' third quarter earnings are expected to be below analyst
expectations primarily because of the competitive environment in the eastern
United States and from reduced capacity attributable to a lower than expected
completion factor (i.e. Hurricane Floyd and operational factors).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AIRTRAN HOLDINGS, INC.
Date: September 22, 1999 /s/ Robert L. Fornaro
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Robert L. Fornaro
Chief Financial Officer
