SEATTLE, Feb 20, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alaska Airlines announced today that it has applied for authority to provide non-stop service between Los Angeles and Guadalajara, Mexico.

If approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Alaska would operate a daily flight with a 138-seat Boeing 737-400.

"This would be a significant benefit to passengers in California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Canada and Mexico and a strategic addition to our route structure," said Don Garvett, Alaska Airlines' vice president of planning and revenue management. "The proposed schedule would provide convenient daily connections between Guadalajara and more than 50 cities served by Alaska and our sister carrier Horizon Air."

With a population of nearly 4 million, Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico. A significant number of U.S. and Canadian citizens maintain seasonal or permanent residences in Guadalajara.

The proposed flights would depart Los Angeles at 10:40 a.m. and arrive in Guadalajara at 3:51 p.m. The northbound flight would depart Guadalajara at 5:17 p.m., arriving in Los Angeles at 6:35 p.m. The date service would begin has not yet been determined.

Alaska anticipates carrying significant numbers of U.S., Canadian and Mexican nationals traveling to and originating from Guadalajara.

An agreement between the U.S. and Mexico allows only two U.S. carriers to operate flights between Guadalajara and Los Angeles. Cutbacks by other domestic carriers have provided a window of opportunity for Alaska Airlines to enter the market.

Alaska currently provides service to six Mexico destinations with 19 daily departures.

The nation's ninth largest carrier, Alaska Airlines was just named 2003 Technology Leader of the Year by Air Transport World magazine. Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve more than 80 cities in the Lower 48, Alaska, Canada and Mexico. For reservations go to www.alaskaair.com or call Alaska's toll-free reservations line at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (800/252-7522).

For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.

CONTACT:          Alaska Airlines
                  Jack Walsh, 206/901-8753

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