Aviation Industry

Report faults FAA over inspecting outsourced work

Nine major U.S. airlines, including Alaska Airlines, are farming out aircraft maintenance at twice the rate of four years ago and now hire outside contractors for more than 70 percent of major work, the government says. Contractors overseas handled one-quarter of the outsourced maintenance.

Plane's engine, propeller may yield clues to crash that killed 2

Investigators will be examining the engine and propeller from a small plane that crashed and burned soon after takeoff.

Northern Air Cargo retires the DC-6

Northern Air Cargo retired its last two Douglas DC-6 cargo Aircraft Tuesday with a ceremony at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. The crew of the last flight included captain Becky Wilbur, first officer Jim Foss and flight engineer Ron Valentine.

Slideshow: Venerable airplanes retired

Airport evacuated following accidental bear-spray discharge

The airport serving Alaska's capital city doesn't have to worry about bears coming around anytime soon. Juneau International Airport had to be evacuated Friday afternoon because of an accidental discharge of anti-bear spray.

Fog causes airliner to land at different destination

About 130 passengers and crew were forced to find shelter after fog forced an Alaska Airlines flight to land in Ketchikan instead of Juneau.

Alaska Airlines pilots' jobs on the line

Alaska Airlines' decision to cut its flights by as much as 10 percent in the coming year -- likely reducing the number to and from Alaska -- could put up to 165 pilots out of work.

Tour flight supervision inadequate

Inadequate supervision of the flight tour industry in Southeast Alaska by the Federal Aviation Administration contributed to a fatal crash in Misty Fjords National Monument that killed five people last summer, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report released this week.

Pioneer Alaska aviator dies at home at 96

Ray Petersen, a pioneer Alaska aviator, died in his sleep Tuesday morning in his Anchorage apartment, his family said.

Alaska airport fills with volcano-stranded travelers

Airlines are hoping the right kind of wind will keep dangerous volcanic ash from further snarling Alaska's tangled summer air travel.

More about Aleutian volcanoes

Volcanic ash prompts flight cancellations

Volcanic ash stranded several thousand travelers Sunday when a shift in the wind moved a giant ash plume into flight routes, causing Alaska Airlines to cancel 41 flights into and out of Alaska.

Alaska Airlines advisory

More about Aleutian volcanoes

Alaska Airlines wants more miles for its flights

For the 3 million people who use the Alaska Airlines mileage plan to fly around the country, the program is getting less rewarding. Starting Nov. 1, the Seattle-based airline's mileage plan members will need to rack up thousands more miles before they can redeem a flight.

Alaska Air to cut flights, staff

Alaska Air Group Inc.'s mounting financial losses due to escalating fuel prices will prompt layoffs of about 80 managers and a unspecified reduction in flights.

Airport partially evacuated after suspicious item found in bag

Stevens International Airport was partially evacuated Wednesday night after a Transportation Security Administration screener detected something that looked suspicious in a checked bag, airport officials said.

Airlines are asking customers to help curb rise in oil prices

The chief executive officers of a dozen U.S. airlines -- including Alaska Airlines -- beset by record fuel costs that have caused several to cut jobs, reduce capacity and impose higher fees on customers, are now asking for their customers' help to curb the rise of oil prices.

Vladivostok air starts direct flights to Russia

State officials welcomed a Russian air carrier to Stevens International Airport on Monday.

FAA lures air traffic controllers north

The Federal Aviation Administration is offering bonuses of tens of thousands of dollars to veteran air traffic controllers who will pack up, move to Alaska and fill vacancies in control centers that are badly understaffed.

On Alaska Air, second bag now $25

Passengers on Alaska Airlines are facing higher fees for a second bag, pets in the cabin and overweight luggage as the carrier tries to make up for higher fuel costs.

Alaska Air touts better efficiency

Alaska Airlines says it has taken a series of steps that have lowered the amount of fuel used to transport one passenger one mile by 17 percent since 2002.

Airlines continue baggage scrutiny with bulky carry-ons

Checked bags are now a moneymaker for US Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines, and officials say they're going to keep a closer watch on how much you take on board as they begin their new baggage fees.

State cuts rent for Bush airports as business nosedives

A growing crisis for aviation in the Bush has prompted the state to roll back recent increases in real estate leases at rural airports.

United to drop Alaska service in September

United Airlines plans to discontinue its flights to and from Alaska after Sept. 20.