Airtran Airways Places $300 Million CFM56 Order

July 1, 2003

EVENDALE, OHIO July 1, 2003 AirTran Airways today announced an order for CFM56-7B engines to power up to 100 Boeing 737-700/-800 aircraft scheduled to begin delivery in June 2004. The 100 aircraft includes a combination of 50 purchased and leased aircraft, along with options for 50 additional 737s. The value of the firm engine order to CFM International is more than $300 million.

The CFM56-7B engine is produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric Company. CFM is the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines with more than 13,500 in commercial and military service worldwide.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. is based in Orlando, Florida, and operates nearly 500 flights daily to 43 destinations across the country, including nearly 200 daily flights from its hub at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. The airline began flying in 1993 and has grown into one of the largest low-fare carriers in the United States. The new 737s, which provide greater range and seating capacity than its current fleet, are part of an expansion and renewal plan.

The first CFM56-7-powered 737-700 was delivered in December 1997. In just over five years of service, the fleet has accumulated 20 million flight hours and 10 million flight cycles, representing the fastest accumulation of hours and cycles in commercial aviation history. The fleet has also maintained exceptional reliability. There are currently more than 1,200 CFM56-7-powered Boeing 737-600/-700/-800/-900 aircraft in service

Jamie Jewell



Mobile:
+1 513.885.2282

jamie.jewell@ge.com

Charles Soret



Mobile:
+33 (0)6.31.60.96.79

charles.soret@safrangroup.com

Perry Bradley



Mobile:
+1 513 375 2597

perry.bradley@ge.com

Talal Ahmed Almahmood


+973 173 3819


talal.almahmood@gulfair.com