MILWAUKEE (WRN) - AirTran said Tuesday it would make Milwaukee its second national hub, joining Atlanta as a base for its operations. The move is expected to add at least 100 pilots and flight attendants to Mitchell International. By April, AirTran said its new hub would have over 300 crew members based there.

Company vice president Kevin Healy says the exact numbers will be hard to determine, because AirTran allows its pilots and flight attendants to live in any city where the company flies. AirTran says it has doubled its Milwaukee flights and operations in each of the last 3 years. He says Mitchell is an attractive place to do business, because it’s been operating below its potential for years – and more people would use the airport if its fares were lower.

AirTran promotes itself as a low fare carrier. It recently got direct competition from Southwest, which moved into the market earlier this year.

AirTran is based in Orlando, and has flown out of Milwaukee since 2002. Earlier this month, AirTran said it would post record profits this year – helped by its low costs and a solid growth in revenue for checked baggage and other items.