Celebrating Launch of Horizon Air's International Service from Prince George

5/1/2008 7:26 a.m.

SEATTLE — Amidst local festivities in Prince George, British Columbia, Horizon Air today will inaugurate new nonstop service to Seattle from its newest Canadian city.

"We're excited to offer this service to Northern British Columbia residents, providing them with a new connection to Horizon and Alaska's vast network of flights from Seattle," said Dan Russo, director of marketing and communications for Horizon Air. "At the same time, this new route -- our seventh to Canada -- makes it easier for U.S. customers to visit the Northern British Columbia region."

"Whether traveling for business or leisure, the new Horizon Air service will offer a top level of convenience via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to many other U.S. cities . . . On behalf of the citizens of Prince George and the surrounding area, we extend a very warm welcome and best wishes to Horizon Air," said Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley.

"We are pleased to launch this service, and are confident this will offer more connections and destination opportunities for the customers of the Prince George Airport," said Stieg Hoeg, Prince George Airport general manager.

When the first flight arrives from Seattle, the aircraft will receive a water cannon salute from the Prince George Airport Emergency Response Services, and Mayor Kinsley will marshal the aircraft to the gate. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, passengers will receive welcome gifts and personal greetings from the mayor, city council and a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in full regalia. There will also be a short press conference with invited delegates representing Prince George-area government and business, and a pre-flight party for invited guests and passengers on the first flight to Seattle.

Horizon's once-daily service will depart from Prince George at 3:45 p.m. and from Seattle at 1:20 p.m. The flight — which takes an hour and 45 minutes — will be operated with the airline's 76-seat Q400 turboprop aircraft, manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace.

The Q400 is one of the most technologically advanced regional aircraft in the world. It's as quiet and comfortable as a jet – thanks to its special technology that suppresses noise and vibration, its generously sized overhead storage bins, its unobstructed under-seat space, and its ample headroom (6 feet, 5 inches). The Q400 is also among the most environmentally friendly aircraft today, producing 30 percent less CO2 than a comparable jet.

Horizon's all-Bombardier fleet serves 49 cities throughout Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Baja California Sur (Mexico), and British Columbia and Alberta (Canada). Together, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines serve 92 cities and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK).