AirTran Airways unveiled on Tuesday the Orlando company’s new System Operations Control (SOC) Center. The company also used the occasion to announce plans to open a pilot base in Orlando this fall.
Governor Charlie Crist applauded AirTran Airways today saying:
“Today’s expansion is exciting news for the entire state, and I am grateful to AirTran for utilizing the talented aerospace and aviation community that exists in Florida. The Sunshine State is a global leader in air passenger transportation, and I look forward to greater economic successes and growth as a result of this job-creating expansion.”
At a cost of $6.9 million, the SOC was paid for by a combination of funds from the State of Florida, the city of Orlando, including the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, and AirTran Airways.
The new pilot base will employ 100 pilots of both the Boeing 717 and 737, support personnel and flight operations managers, including a chief pilot. Orlando will join Atlanta and Milwaukee as homes to AirTran Airways pilot bases.
AirTran Airways employs more than 1,000 Crew Members in Central Florida at several facilities, including its corporate headquarters, the SOC and a maintenance facility, in addition to its passengers operations at the airport.
