Some AirTran employees leave as company prepares for Southwest takeover

AirTran announced some employees have left the carrier as the company prepares to be acquired by Southwest Airlines (The Atlanta-Constitution, 31-Mar-2011). AirTran chief executive Bob Fornaro stated he expects Southwest to try to maintain as much of AirTran's workforce as possible. "Certain jobs are going to gravitate towards Dallas because that is the headquarters. I think Southwest is going to make a very good effort to accommodate most of our people," stated Mr Fornaro. About 6000 of AirTran's 8000 employees are based in the Atlanta metro area.