Tag Archives: ANC

Alaska Airlines starts seven new routes this week from Salt Lake City

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 Airlines:

Alaska Airlines brings the first seasonal Copper River salmon shipment to the “Lower 48”

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 reports GAAP net income of $94 million for the first quarter

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’ IAM employees ratify a new 5-year contract

Alaska Airlines‘ (Seattle/Tacoma) 2,500 clerical, office and passenger service employees, who are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), have ratified a new five-year contract. The contract was approved by 62 percent of those who voted.

The contract includes pay raises and job security provisions, among other improvements.

The previous three-year contract became amendable on January 1, 2014 and a tentative agreement was reached on February 3, 2014. Contracts in the airline industry do not expire. Once they become amendable, the current contract remains in effect until a new agreement is ratified.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-4Q8 N754AS (msn 25095) arrives at Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Airlines protects its most important Seattle/Tacoma markets with double miles

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is stepping up to protect its top markets from the Seattle/Tacoma hub with a double miles offer through 2014. The company just issued this statement:

Alaska Airlines is making it easier for travelers flying to and from Seattle/Tacoma to fly more with double frequent flier miles* on eight of its most popular routes to and from the Emerald City.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who enroll in the program before their first qualifying flights will earn double miles on flights through December 31, 2014, between Seattle/Tacoma and the following cities:

Anchorage, Alaska
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Oakland, California
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose, California
Vancouver, British Columbia

The carrier will also offer double miles** from June 1 to Sept. 1, 2014, on flights between Seattle/Tacoma and Fairbanks, Alaska, and Seattle/Tacoma and Juneau, Alaska.

Alaska Airlines operates 279 peak-day departures nonstop to 73 destinations from Seattle. It also operates more daily flights (170 during peak season) to more destinations (28) within the state of Alaska and from Alaska to the Lower 48 states and Hawaii than any other major carrier.

* Double miles promotion terms: Registration is required prior to your first qualifying flight, and must be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2014. Double miles offer is valid only on qualifying paid nonstop flights between Seattle and Anchorage; Seattle and Los Angeles; Seattle and Oakland; Seattle and San Diego; Seattle and San Francisco; Seattle and San Jose; Seattle and Vancouver; and Seattle and Las Vegas from June 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014. Flights must be marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines. Flight miles must be credited to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ account in order to earn double miles. All travel must be completed by Dec. 31, 2014. Not valid on free or award travel. Double miles do not count toward Mileage Plan elite status. Please allow four to six weeks for miles to be credited to your Mileage Plan account. All terms and conditions of the Mileage Plan program apply. Offer subject to change without notice.

** Double miles offer terms: Registration is required for non-Club 49 members prior to your first qualifying flight, and must be completed no later than Sept. 1, 2014. Club 49 members will automatically be registered for this promotion. Double miles offer is valid only on qualifying paid nonstop flights between Seattle and Fairbanks and between Seattle and Juneau from June 1, 2014, through Sept. 1, 2014. Flights must be marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines. Flight miles must be credited to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account in order to earn double miles. All travel must be completed by Sept. 1, 2014. Not valid on free or award travel. Double miles do not count towards Mileage Plan Elite Status. Please allow four to six weeks for miles to be credited to your Mileage Plan account. All terms and conditions of the Mileage Plan program apply. Offer subject to change without notice.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-890 N552AS (msn 34595) departs from Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Airlines becomes the first U.S. airline to allow self-tagging of bags on select routes

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:

Alaska Airlines is again the official airline of the Iditarod Dog Race

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:

Atlas Air and QANTAS extend their ACMI agreement

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (New York) today said that its Atlas Air, Inc. unit (New York) and QANTAS Airways Ltd. (Sydney) have extended their long-standing ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) relationship.

Under the terms of the agreement, Atlas Air will continue to operate two Boeing 747-400 freighters in ACMI service for QANTAS on trans-Pacific routes linking Australia and Asia with the United States.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-47UF N492MC (msn 29253) departs from Anchorage, Alaska after a cargo and fuel stop. The freighter also carries small QANTAS Airways sub-titles.

Atlas Air:

Alaska Airlines responds, more routes from Salt Lake City

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.

Alaska Airlines:

FedEx misses second quarter Wall Street estimates but still reports net income of $500 million, up 14%

FedEx Corporation (FedEx Express) (Memphis) today reported earnings of $1.57 per diluted share for the second quarter ended November 30, compared to $1.39 per share last year. Last year’s second quarter results were impacted by $0.11 per diluted share due to the effects of Superstorm Sandy.

“FedEx posted solid second-quarter earnings, reflecting improved performance at FedEx Express, as the profit improvement plan introduced more than a year ago continues to gain momentum,” said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The power of our broad global portfolio continues to drive our growth and I am confident we are well on our way to achieving the ambitious goals we have set.”

Second Quarter Results

FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the second quarter:

• Revenue of $11.4 billion, up 3% from $11.1 billion the previous year

• Operating income of $827 million, up 15% from $718 million last year

• Operating margin of 7.3%, up from 6.5% the previous year

• Net income of $500 million, up 14% from last year’s $438 million

Operating income and margin increased primarily due to yield and cost management at FedEx Express. Results also benefited from the favorable comparison to last year’s Sandy-impacted results, lower pension expense and a modest benefit from the voluntary employee severance program.

In October, FedEx Corporation announced the authorization of a new share repurchase program of up to 32 million shares of common stock, which augmented the 7.4 million shares then remaining under the previously authorized repurchase program. During the second quarter, the company repurchased 7.2 million shares of FedEx common stock, increasing the fiscal 2014 year-to-date purchase total to 10.0 million shares. The second quarter share repurchases had no effect on the quarter’s earnings per share, but are expected to improve full year earnings by $0.04 per share.

Outlook

FedEx is increasing its forecast of full-year earnings per share growth to 8% to 14% above last year’s adjusted results, compared to its previous growth range of 7% to 13%. This outlook reflects share repurchases made to date but does not include any benefit from additional share repurchases. Share repurchases are expected to continue, but the timing will be at the company’s discretion. The outlook also assumes the market outlook for fuel prices and continued moderate economic growth. The capital spending forecast for fiscal 2014 remains $4 billion.

“We remain on track to deliver a solid increase in earnings this fiscal year,” said Alan B. Graf, Jr., FedEx Corp. executive vice president and chief financial officer. “FedEx Express reported significant year-over-year improvement in earnings during the quarter, aided by continued execution of our profit improvement programs and by ongoing cost reduction initiatives. We continue to look for additional ways to improve efficiencies and remain committed to increasing long-term shareowner value.”

FedEx Express Segment

For the second quarter, the FedEx Express segment reported:

• Revenue of $6.84 billion, down slightly from last year’s $6.86 billion

• Operating income of $326 million, up 42% from $230 million a year ago

• Operating margin of 4.8%, up from 3.4% the previous year

Revenue decreased slightly due to lower express freight revenue and lower fuel surcharges, mostly offset by increased base package yields. U.S. domestic revenue per package increased 2%, as higher rates and weight per package were partially offset by lower fuel surcharges. U.S. domestic average daily package volume decreased slightly.

FedEx International Priority® (IP) revenue per package increased 3% while average daily volume declined 5%. Within the IP category, average daily volume for the lower-yielding distribution services declined while IP average daily volume, excluding these distribution services, increased 1%. FedEx International Economy® average daily volume grew 10%.

Operating income and margin improved year over year due to higher base package yields, lower pension expense, and lower net expenses from ongoing cost reduction activities.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. A beautiful takeoff portrait of FedEx Express’ Boeing 777-FS2 N852FD (msn 37723) after a stop at Anchorage, Alaska (click on the photo for the full-size view).

FedEx Express:

Video: How FedEx turns a Boeing 757 freighter in 55 minutes: