Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) announced the opening of the annual Copper Riser Salmon fishing season and the first delivery to SeaTac by Alaska Air Cargo. Here is the announcement:
A fish-filled Alaska Airlines jet touched down at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shortly after 6 a.m. today, carrying 18,000 pounds of wild Alaska Copper River salmon — about 4,500 more pounds than the weight of a Learjet 31. A second plane carrying an additional 30,000 pounds is scheduled to arrive in Seattle around 10:20 a.m. Today officially marks the start of the salmon season that is anticipated by seafood lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Above Photo: Alaska Airlines. The fishing fleet off of Cordova, Alaska.
Alaska Airlines will operate up to five more flights today transporting the coveted Copper River salmon caught for three seafood processors: Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Trident Seafoods and Copper River Seafoods. The extra Copper River salmon flights will depart Cordova, Alaska, and arrive in Seattle and Anchorage, Alaska, where the fish will be shipped throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the United States today and through the weekend.
Above Photo: Alaska Airlines.
Alaska plays a significant role in supporting the Alaska seafood industry, which is recognized worldwide for its sustainable fishing practices. The carrier flew nearly 25 million pounds of fresh Alaska seafood to the Lower 48 states and beyond last year, including nearly 1.2 million pounds of Copper River salmon.
Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-890 N559AS (msn 35178) in the unique “Wild Alaska Seafood” livery and named “Salmon-Thirty-Salmon 2” arrives in Washington (Reagan National).
Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:
Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Dedicated freighter, Boeing 737-490 (F) N709AS (msn 28896) lands in Anchorage, Alaska.
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) begins daily nonstop flights this week to seven new destinations from Salt Lake City (Delta’s hub) while also expanding existing service between Utah’s capital and Seattle/Tacoma.
The new flying begins today (June 9) with service to Portland, Oregon. Over the next 10 days, additional flights will commence from Salt Lake City to Boise, Idaho; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose, California. Alaska is also adding a third daily flight between Seattle/Tacoma and Salt Lake starting today.
The carrier will operate the flights with Alaska Airlines Boeing 737s, Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop aircraft operated by Horizon Air (Seattle/Tacoma) and 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets flown by SkyWest Airlines (St. George, Utah).
Alaska Airlines began serving Salt Lake City in April 2013 with two daily flights from Seattle/Tacoma.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-490 N792AS (msn 28887) was formerly painted in the special “Wild Alaska Seafood” livery.
Alaska Air Cargo (Alaska Airlines) (Seattle/Tacoma) today (May 16) delivered 24,100 pounds of the season’s first shipment of Alaska Copper River salmon to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The arrival of the fish-filled Boeing 737 marks the start of the summer salmon season and is an annual rite of passage anticipated by seafood lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest.
At least five more Alaska Airlines flights today will transport salmon from Cordova, Alaska, to Anchorage, Seattle and throughout the United States. The flights will have fresh fish from three Alaska seafood processors: Copper River Seafoods, Ocean Beauty Seafoods and Trident Seafoods.
Alaska Airlines plays a significant role in supporting the Alaska seafood industry, which is recognized worldwide for its sustainable fishing practices. Last year, the carrier flew more than 24.5 million pounds of fresh Alaska seafood to the Lower 48 states and beyond, including 1 million pounds of Copper River salmon.
“No other airline delivers more Copper River salmon to the Lower 48 than Alaska Airlines, and making that happen within 24 hours after the fish is pulled from the water is no small feat,” said Betsy Bacon, managing director of Alaska Air Cargo. “Hundreds of employees from across the state of Alaska, Seattle and beyond spend months getting ready for the busy summer fish season.”
5th annual Copper Chef Cook-off
Following the arrival of the first fish, three Seattle-area top chefs — John Howie, owner of Seastar, Jason Franey of Canlis and Ethan Stowell, owner of Tavolata — will compete for the best salmon recipe in Alaska Air Cargo’s fifth annual Copper Chef Cook-off. The chefs will have 30 minutes to prepare and serve the first catch of the season to a panel of judges, which include Seahawks place kicker Steven Hauschka; Jay Buhner, Seattle Mariners Hall of Famer; and Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines’ chief operating officer. The airline will announce the winner of the cook-off on Twitter @AlaskaAir. Fish lovers can follow the competition and share their favorite salmon recipes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #SalmonChef.
Among the onlookers awaiting the arrival of the first fish were 10 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold members, and representatives from USO Northwest, the U.S. Marines and U.S. Coast Guard, who were invited to sample the season’s first Copper River salmon.
Anchorage hosts First Fish parade
Farther north, Copper River Seafoods and local Anchorage-area restaurants are also welcoming the arrival of Copper River salmon with festivities planned at Alaska Air Cargo at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Later this afternoon, the seafood company will deliver a ceremonial first fish to seven downtown Anchorage restaurants.
Enhanced seafood quality training program
Copper River salmon shipped on Alaska Air Cargo arrives as fresh as possible to grocery stores and restaurants across the nation, thanks in part to a cool chain training program required of all airline employees who handle perishables. Alaska Air Cargo employees are required to adhere to strict seafood quality standards and pass an annual food quality course.
Seafood processors and shippers follow these cool-chain standards to provide a temperature-controlled environment for proper food handling. The goal is to keep seafood moving rapidly throughout its journey on Alaska Airlines and maintain a consistent temperature range from the time it leaves the water to when it arrives at stores and restaurants.
The first Copper River salmon was brought to SEA with their Boeing 737-400 Combi N765AS.
In other news, Alaska Airlines was awarded its seventh J. D. Power award as the best traditional network carrier.
Top Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Beautifully displayed, Boeing 737-890 N559AS (msn 35178) is the second Alaska 737 to wear the special “Salmon-Thirty-Salmon” livery in support of the Alaska fisheries industry.
Alaska Airlines:
Video: the ceremonial fish head “kick-off”:
Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Dedicated as a freighter, Boeing 737-490 (F) N709AS (msn 28896) climbs away from the runway at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).
Alaska Air Group’s board of directors (Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) (Seattle/Tacoma) has approved a share repurchase program authorizing the company to buy back up to $650 million of its common stock. This share repurchase program represents approximately 10 percent of the market capitalization of the company.
The board also approved a quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents per share as part of Air Group’s program to be a leader in returning capital to investors. The dividend to all shareholders of record as of May 20 will be paid on June 4.
The $650 million repurchase program will begin immediately after the existing $250 million buyback is completed.
AAG intends to finance the dividend and stock repurchases with cash on hand and cash flow from operations.
The program allows the company to repurchase its common stock using open market stock purchases, negotiated transactions or through other means, including accelerated share repurchases and 10b5-1 trading plans.
This will be Alaska’s eighth repurchase program since 2007. The company has spent $519 million buying back more than 21 million shares of its stock.
Alaska Air Group began paying a quarterly dividend of 20 cents per share in August 2013, the first time since 1992 that the company had paid a dividend. It was increased to 25 cents per share this past February.
Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-490 N791AS (msn 28886) taxies at Los Angeles International Airport in the special “Follow Me to Disneyland” color scheme.
Alaska Air Group, Inc. (Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air – Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) today reported first quarter 2014 GAAP net income of $94 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, compared to $37 million, or $0.51 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2013. Excluding the impact of mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments of $8 million ($5 million after tax, or $0.07 per diluted share), the company reported record adjusted net income of $89 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $44 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, in 2013.
“Our record first quarter results reflect strong demand for our service and the efforts we’ve taken to improve the value we bring to our customers,” CEO Brad Tilden said. “Our solid foundation of award-winning service, excellent operational performance, low costs and low fares, and the best employees in the business will help us sustain our success in the face of increasing competition.”
Financial Highlights:
Reported record first quarter net income, excluding special items, of $89 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $44 million, or $0.62 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter. This quarter’s results compare to a First Call analyst consensus estimate of $1.24 per share.
Recorded net income for the first quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $94 million or $1.35 per diluted share, compared to net income of $37 million, or $0.51 per diluted share in 2013.
Reported record adjusted pretax margin for the first quarter of 11.8%.
Achieved trailing 12-month return on invested capital of 14.8% compared to 13.4% in the 12 months ended March 31, 2013.
Paid a $0.25 per-share quarterly cash dividend on March 11 totaling $17 million. This is a 25% increase from the previous cash dividend payment of $0.20 per-share.
Repurchased 352,851 shares of common stock for $30 million in the first quarter of 2014.
Lowered adjusted debt-to-total-capitalization ratio by 3%, to 32%, from December 31, 2013.
Held $1.4 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of March 31, 2014.
Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Dedicated freighter operations at Alaska Air Cargo becomes very active in Alaska this time of the year. Boeing 737-490 (F) N709AS (msn 28896) touches down at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).
Alaska Airlines:
Alaska Horizon:
Horizon Air:
Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Horizon Air’s (Alaska Horizon) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (marketed as the “Q400”) N440QX (msn 4347) in the special Oregon State University-OSU Beavers color scheme taxies to the runway at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) hub.
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will be the first U.S. airline to allow self-tagging of bags from home on select introductory routes. The airline issued this statement:
Self-tag online debuts on April 21 for passengers traveling nonstop between Seattle/Tacoma and San Diego, Anchorage or Juneau, Alaska, with plans to expand the option for customers traveling from other airports later this summer. This launch follows the completion of a successful pilot program, which was offered to customers traveling between Seattle/Tacoma and Hawaii in 2013.
Starting on April 21, travelers flying to or from any of the four debut cities will receive a pre-trip email with a link to request a free reusable bag tag holder by mail. Tag holders will also be available to pick up at each of the four airports. Passengers who elect to self-tag will enjoy a designated Self-Tag Express™ lane when they arrive at the airport.
How self-tag online works:
Book a trip at http://www.alaskaair.com.
Follow instructions in your pre-trip email to request a bag tag holder by mail or pick up a holder in person at one of the four participating airports.
Check in online up to 24 hours before your flight and follow the instructions to print a bag tag at home.
Insert printed bag tag into the tag holder.
At the airport, follow signs for Self-Tag Express™ lanes.
Show the agent your boarding pass, identification and drop off your bags.
Alaska Airlines is the first U.S. carrier to launch self-bag tagging from home, another chapter in the carrier’s long history of pioneering technologies and innovations to make flying easier. Alaska was the first airline in North America to sell tickets over the Internet, and the first in the world to allow customers to check in and print boarding passes online. Last year, the carrier installed kiosks with self-tagging printers at 10 airport locations including Seattle/Tacoma, Anchorage and Portland, Oregon.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-490 N703AS (msn 28893) departs from Anchorage International Airport (ANC), one of the introductory cities for self-tagging.
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will again serve as the official airline sponsor of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, marking the 36th year the carrier has supported the event.
As the official airline of the Iditarod, Alaska continues its tradition of presenting the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, which recognizes one musher for providing exemplary dog care and is considered the highest honor a competitor can receive. Voted on by trail veterinarians, the Leonhard Seppala award is named after one of Alaska’s most-celebrated mushers, whose 1925 sled-dog team traveled the longest distance to transport diphtheria serum to Nome.
As part of its sponsorship, Alaska Airlines also will help provide air transportation and dog-care supplies for 45 Iditarod veterinarians who come to Alaska from across the United States to care for the race dogs’ health and safety.
In addition, many Alaska Airlines employees contribute their time at the event. Among them are several pilots who lead the Iditarod Air Force, flying veterinarians, supplies and volunteers to remote checkpoints along the trail.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-490 N705AS (msn 29318) in the “Spirit of Alaska Statehood” special color scheme departs from Anchorage, Alaska.
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is adding more flights at Delta’s Salt Lake City hub while Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has been adding more routes from Alaska’s Seattle/Tacoma hub. Is the Alaska-Delta partnership dissolving or is each carrier feeding the other at their hubs with additional flights?
Alaska Airlines is adding daily flights to three more cities from Salt Lake City next summer, marking the latest in a series of route expansions. The carrier will begin flying nonstop from Salt Lake City to Boise, Idaho, and Las Vegas on June 16 and between Salt Lake City and San Francisco on June 18.
The airline will fly one daily roundtrip each between Salt Lake City and Boise and San Francisco, and two daily roundtrips between Salt Lake and Las Vegas. Flights from Salt Lake City to San Francisco allow travelers same-day connections to the airline’s nonstop service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Summary of new service:
Boise-Salt Lake City
Start date
City pair
Departs
Arrives
Frequency
Aircraft
June 16
Boise-Salt Lake City
7:10 a.m.
8:22 a.m.
Daily
Q400
June 16
Salt Lake City-Boise
5:55 p.m.
7:12 p.m.
Daily
Q400
Las Vegas-Salt Lake City
Start date
City pair
Departs
Arrives
Frequency
Aircraft
June 16
Salt Lake City-Las Vegas
9:45 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
Daily
Q400
June 16
Las Vegas-Salt Lake City
10:50 a.m.
1:18 p.m.
Daily
Q400
June 16
Salt Lake City-Las Vegas
1:50 p.m.
2:20 p.m.
Daily
Q400
June 16
Las Vegas-Salt Lake City
2:55 p.m.
5:23 p.m.
Daily
Q400
San Francisco-Salt Lake City
Start date
City pair
Departs
Arrives
Frequency
Aircraft
June 18
San Francisco-Salt Lake City
8:35 p.m.
11:20 p.m.
Daily
737
June 19
Salt Lake City-San Francisco
8 a.m.
8:50 a.m.
Daily
737
All times based on local time zones.
The routes will be operated with Alaska Airlines Boeing 737s and Horizon Air Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop aircraft.
Alaska Airlines continues to expand in the Lower 48. However the name “Alaska” no longer properly describes its expanding operating area. Most of its flying is along the West Coast and from/to the Seattle/Tacoma hub in Washington State. The Eskimo tail logo no longer properly defines the operating area of the airline. The company has outgrown its original name when it was a niche airline flying from Portland and Seattle/Tacoma up to Alaska. A new more appropriate name and livery is probably in the works for 2014.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-490AS (msn 27082) departs from Anchorage.
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) inaugurated nonstop service between Portland, Oregon, and Dallas/Fort Worth starting today.
Portland-Dallas/Fort Worth is the eighth new route Alaska has added from PDX and it will help connect with its partner American Airlines’ hub in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Summary of new service:
Start date
City pair
Departs
Arrives
Frequency
Sept. 16
Portland-Dallas
10:15 a.m.
4:04 p.m.
Daily
Sept. 16
Dallas-Portland
5 p.m.
6:59 p.m.
Daily
All times based on local time zones.
Alaska Airlines has inaugurated service from Portland to seven other destinations since June 2012, including Atlanta, Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Fairbanks, Alaska, Bozeman, Montana, Pasco, Washington, and Santa Barbara, California.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Alaska Airlines is gradually replacing its aging Boeing 737-400 fleet. 737-490 N794AS (msn 28889) climbs away from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub.
