Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> May 5, 2003
J. GEORGE MIKELSONS, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, created
what is now ATA Holdings Corp. (formerly Amtran, Inc.) from the
travel club Ambassadair and American Trans Air (ATA), in 1973.
The main subsidiary's name changed to ATA Airlines, Inc., in
2003. Mr. Mikelsons' vision and leadership have made ATA the 10th
largest airline in the US, North America's largest operator of
military and commercial passenger charters and one of the fastest
growing scheduled service carriers. His story is a lesson in hard
work and the American Dream. Mr. Mikelsons was born in Latvia,
but fled with his parents to Germany and eventually to Australia
after the Russian occupation of Latvia. He immigrated to
Indianapolis in 1960, where he was able to fulfill a lifelong
dream of becoming a pilot. After running an air taxi service for
several years, Mr. Mikelsons became Chief Pilot and Director of
Operations for Voyager 1000, an Indianapolis-based travel club.
In 1973 he purchased a Boeing 720 and started his own travel
club, Ambassadair. A second Boeing 720 was added in 1978.
Following deregulation of the airline industry in 1978, ATA was
certified as a common carrier in 1981, making it possible for the
airline to offer charter flights to the general public. Amtran,
formed in 1984 as the holding company for Ambassadair and ATA,
completed its initial public offering in 1993. Today Mr.
Mikelsons is the majority shareholder of ATA Holdings Corp., the
parent company of ATA and four other subsidiaries, including
Ambassadair, ATA Leisure Corp., Amber Travel, ATA Training Corp.,
ATA Cargo, Execujet and the commuter airline ATA Connection
(Chicago Express Airlines, Inc.). ATA currently operates a fleet
of 78 aircraft to over 400 destinations annually. Mr. Mikelsons
has been active in every phase of the airline's growth and
development. He serves on the Executive Committee and Board of
Directors for the Air Transport Association. Additionally, he is
a member of the Executive Committee for the Indianapolis
Convention and Visitors Association and on the Board of Directors
for the Indianapolis Zoo. Mr. Mikelsons has been an airline
captain since 1966 and remains current on several jet aircraft. Profile
Mr. Mikelsons: ATA Airlines is based in Indianapolis, Indiana,
and we're a low cost carrier. Our primary hub is at Chicago
Midway
