in january 2006, matlinpatterson and certain pre-bankruptcy creditors invested over $100 million in ata and took the company private, also taking over ata holdings, inc. following the transaction, on february 28, 2006, ata airlines emerged from chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. however, the airline was still shrinking. ata continued to return more aircraft, including the 1,500th boeing 737 next generation produced, n333tz, which was delivered new to ata on may 14, 2004.