Alaska Airlines to Expand Cargo Capacity with Fifth Passenger-Freight 'Combi' Aircraft

SEATTLE, April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of a $100 million initiative to better serve cargo customers, Alaska Airlines today announced plans to convert a fifth Boeing 737-400 to carry passengers and freight simultaneously on the main deck.

The 737-400 "Combi" will join one all-cargo freighter and two other mixed- configuration aircraft already in service. A third Combi is scheduled to be delivered this week and a fourth in May.

Pemco World Air Services of Dothan, Ala., will begin converting the fifth Combi in early September, with delivery slated for late December.

"A fifth Combi gives us the ability to offer consistent year-round cargo service to smaller communities in southeast Alaska," said Matt Yerbic, Alaska Airlines' managing director of cargo. "The aircraft also will permit increased cargo and passenger service in support of oil and gas activities on the North Slope of Alaska."

Each Combi carries up to 72 passengers in the rear of the aircraft and up to four cargo pallets in the front. The six converted aircraft are replacing nine 737-200s the airline recently retired, which have served the state of Alaska for 26 years.

The new Combis feature more advanced flight-guidance capabilities for improved operational reliability, larger overhead bins and more comfortable seats.

Transporting more than 150 million pounds of cargo annually, including seafood, mail and freight, Alaska Airlines operates the most extensive air cargo operation on the U.S. West Coast of any passenger airline. The airline's cargo operation transports about 30 million pounds of fresh Alaska seafood from Alaskan fishing towns to Seattle, the Pacific Northwest and beyond each year.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. This year Alaska Airlines celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking the airline's growth from a single-aircraft operation in 1932 to one of the largest U.S. carriers. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Pemco World Air Services is a subsidiary of Pemco Aviation Group, Inc., which performs maintenance and modification of aircraft for the U.S. Government and foreign and domestic commercial customers. The company also provides aircraft parts and support, engineering services, and develops and manufactures aircraft cargo systems, rocket vehicles, control systems and components.