OST-97-2557 / AirTran / June 10, 1997

Application of

AirTran Airways, Inc.

For an exemption from Subparts K and S of 14 CFR Part 93 (Slot Restrictions at New York LaGuardia Airport) as to provide nonstop service between Bloomington/Normal, L/Moline-Quad Cities, & New York LaGuardia (combination service); et al.

The Moline/Quad City International Airport, along with the 770,000 plus residents of the Illinois/Iowa Quad Cities wish to add their support to the above filing on the part of AirTran Airways, Inc. (AirTran). AirTran's proposed new service would significantly increase the availability of air service to one of the Quad Cities most important markets. The overall community has been growing considerably in the last few years and traffic has increased 11+% increase in 1996 and to date this year a 6.8% increase over last year's passengers has additionally been realized.

Included with this filing as Exhibit A is an Air Service Study conducted by the Quad City International Airport's consultant, Michael Boyd of Aviation Systems Research Corporation, Golden, Colorado, which clearly supports the need for the service. Additionally, Exhibit B contains letters of support for the granting of slots to AirTran for the service to the Quad Cities and Bloomington/Normal. The response from the federal, state and local legislators, along with the corporate community, over the last week to ten days has been overwhelming as is exhibited in the attached letters of support. Enclosed with the letters of support are various articles from local newspapers concerning this service. The newspapers, together with the television and radio response, has been outstanding.

In closing, Airtran's request meets all of the provisions of the exemption section of 14 CFR Part 93. This positive response to the exemption request will not only act in compliance with the law but also serve to support and enhance the competitiveness of air service into and out of the Quad City International Airport.

Respectfully submitted,

Kent G. HE.

Director of Aviation

Metropolitan Airport Authority of

Rock Island County, Illinois

P. O. Box 9009

Moline, IL 61265

(309) 757-1732

June 9, 1997