SEATTLE, April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported March operational results for its subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines (Alaska) and Horizon Air (Horizon). ALASKA AIRLINES Alaska reported an increase in load factor to 81.6 percent in March 2009, compared to 80.8 percent in March 2008, on a 9.0 percent decline in available seat miles (ASMs) compared to the prior-year period. Alaska also reported that 70.2 percent of its flights arrived on time in March 2009, a 7.8-point decrease compared to the 78.0 percent reported in March 2008. The decline was caused in part by the eruptions of Mt. Redoubt in Alaska, which have disrupted operations since March 22, 2009. The following tables show the operational results for March 2009 and the first three months of 2009, compared to the prior-year periods: March Year-to-Date 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change Revenue passenger miles RPMs (000,000) 1,559 1,696 (8.1)% 4,179 4,526 (7.7)% Available seat Miles ASMs (000,000) 1,910 2,099 (9.0)% 5,520 6,084 (9.3)% Passenger load factor 81.6% 80.8% 0.8pts 75.7% 74.4% 1.3pts Revenue passengers (000) 1,344 1,537 (12.6)% 3,573 4,080 (12.4)% On-time arrivals as Reported to U.S. DOT 70.2% 78.0% (7.8)pts 72.6% 75.9% (3.3)pts HORIZON AIR Horizon reported a decrease in load factor to 69.5 percent in March 2009, compared to 73.8 percent in March 2008, on a 15.9 percent decline in capacity compared to the prior-year period. Horizon reported that 86.0 percent of its flights arrived on time in March 2009, a 0.4-point decrease compared to the 86.4 percent reported in March 2008. The following tables show the operational results for March 2009 and the first three months of 2009, compared to the prior-year periods: March Year-to-Date 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change RPMs (000,000) 191 241 (20.7)% 524 658 (20.4)% ASMs (000,000) 275 327 (15.9)% 787 942 (16.5)% Passenger load factor 69.5% 73.8% (4.3)pts 66.6% 69.9% (3.3)pts Revenue passengers (000) 558 659 (15.3)% 1,546 1,852 (16.5)% On-time arrivals 86.0% 86.4% (0.4)pts 81.2% 80.7% 0.5pts Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Traditional Network Carriers (tie)" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 North America Airline Satisfaction Study(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom. DATASOURCE: Alaska Air Group, Inc. CONTACT: Media, Bobbie Egan, Media Relations Manager, +1-206-392-5134, or Investors, Shannon Alberts, Managing Director of Investor Relations, +1-206-392-5218, both of Alaska Air Group, Inc. Web Site: http://alaskaair.com/

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