--
Aug. 02--AirTran Airways is discontinuing service at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport next year.
The airline, which Southwest Airlines bought in May, said its 33 employees at the airport would be offered positions in the company.
AirTran will continue flying out of the airport until March 9.
The company said it is eliminating service there and in three other cities because of challenging economic conditions and high fuel prices.
AirTran also plans to stop flying into airports in Asheville, N.C., Atlantic City and Moline, Ill.
George Hoffer, an economics professor specializing in transportation at the University of Richmond, said AirTran's decision to leave Newport News makes sense given that the airline flies to Richmond International Airport as well as to Norfolk International Airport in the form of Southwest.
"It's really not a surprise," he said. "Newport News was bound (to lose AirTran) when both Norfolk and Richmond airports are three times the size."
AirTran has five daily flights out of Richmond -- four to Atlanta and one to Orlando.
In June, 9.06 percent of the travelers departing from Richmond International flew AirTran.
Troy Bell, a spokesman for Richmond International, said Newport News losing AirTran is a reminder that this area should "take no air service for granted."
"Each route must financially justify its existence. Operating costs, especially fuel, are high, and air carriers have many options for the best and highest use of their aircraft assets," he said.
Bell would not comment on whether the development at Newport News would help improve Richmond's chances to become a destination for Southwest.
AirTran said it would contact the few passengers who already have reservations beyond the closing date.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
