AirTran converts 7 Boeing 717 options to firm orders Thursday March 28, 5:18 PM EST NEW YORK, March 28 (Reuters) - AirTran Airways, a unit of AirTran Holdings (AAI) said on Thursday that it had converted options for 7 Boeing Co. (BA) 717 aircraft into firm orders. AirTran said that the aircraft were part of scheduled 20 717 jets it plans to take this year. All the jets are leased from Boeing Capital, the airline financing arm of the aircraft and defense products manufacturer. AirTran shares gained 43 cents, or 7.65 percent, to close Thursday trading at $6.05 on the New York Stock Exchange. Roger La France EWR CO767 or ewrgateman on IAM