AirTran Pulls Out of Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) _ AirTran Airways will no longer be flying out of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune (http://bit.ly/NYOcFd ) reports the airline’s final flight from the southwest Florida airport departed Saturday evening.

AirTran was the airport’s second-largest airline and had helped revive the struggling facility.

Sarasota-Bradenton International executives tell the paper other airlines have mostly filled the gap but the impact of AirTran’s departure on fares is still playing out.

Passengers on the airline’s final flight from the airport walked through a confetti-littered floor as they lined up for departure.

Two airport fire trucks streamed water cannons in a ceremonial arc over the plane as it exited from the gate.
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