On Wednesday, the Chairman and CEO of Midwest Airlines Timothy E. Hoeksema, made some incorrect and troubling statements about AirTran Airways in a press release.  Hoeksema, in an attempt to ward off a takeover bid by AirTran, issued a statement that AirTran was an "inferior airline" and that they "broke promises" to the communities they serve.

I can tell you firsthand after having dealt with AirTran for a decade that Mr. Hoeksema couldn't be more mistaken about AirTran and their management.  AirTran Airways is a highly ethical airline that has honored and exceeded every commitment it has ever made to the Akron- Canton Airport and to the 1.2 million people in our metro area.  We consider it a privilege to have them serve our community.  They are a respected provider of reliable, top-notch air service that has brought great value to the travelers in this region for more than a decade.

We take great issue with the representations made by Midwest Airlines about our respected business partner. And because of this we issued a press release yesterday declaring what we know as the truth. We have not taken a position on the merger itself. We don't believe we know what's in the best interest of Midwest Airlines and their shareholders. We would only like to set the record straight with regard to the quality of product provided by AirTran at Akron-Canton Airport and the integrity of their entire management team. 

With respect to AirTran pulling out of a market, sometimes this happens. Not all markets work out and not all have worked at Akron-Canton. We have never interpreted starting a new market from CAK as a guarantee to continue it forever.  Sometimes they don't work. The only guarantee we have from each other (airline and airport) is the promise for both of us to work hard to make it work.  AirTran has always done this. Making air service a success is the obligation of both the airport, the community and the airlines. The airline bears all the risk if it doesn't work out.  If the community doesn't support the service then who didn't deliver on the promise, the airline or the community? No airline has a duty to continue something that loses money.

We're a very small player in the air service world so we have a different view of the world when it comes to viewing air service. The one thing we know for certain is that AirTran provides a great product, a great value and has earned our respect. 

For more on this issue, check out David Field's blog later tonight (he's the Americas Editor at Airline Business Magazine) and US Today's Today in the Sky. Let me know what you think too.