AirTran announces flight cuts

AirTran Airways will discontinue its flights from Atlanta to Dulles International in Washington, D.C. and Bloomington/Normal  in Illinois next June.

The carrier, which Dallas-based Southwest Airlines acquired in May, said in the Friday announcement that it "can no longer support service to these particular markets in light of the realities of the challenging economic environment and sustained high fuel prices." The AirTran flights to Washington Dulles and Bloomington/Normal will be discontinued after June 2. The Atlanta route cuts were part of the announcement of closures of AirTran operations at five airports.

Southwest plans to release its summer flight schedule, including the AirTran flight cuts, on Sunday.