I am leaving to enjoy retirement like others my age, but am confident I will be leaving ATA in good hands.

The restructuring of ATA to enhance its long-term competitiveness has involved the hard work of many dedicated ATA employees. My heart and thanks goes out to each and every one of them.

Excess capacity, extremely high fuel prices -- which continue to escalate -- and declining fares have necessitated that all airlines, including ATA, reexamine their business.