Alaska Airlines Schedules Grand Opening in Tucson.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2000

Alaska Airlines announced today that it will celebrate its new nonstop service from Tucson to Seattle and San Jose with a grand opening ceremony Monday, October 2, at the Tucson International Airport.

The grand opening, which will be held at 9:45 a.m. at Gate 5, will feature the Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers, a native Alaskan dance group from Kodiak Island.

Tucson Mayor Robert Walkup and Matt Yerbic, the carrier's managing director of station operations, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the departure of flight 749.

"We're very excited about our nonstop service to Tucson," Yerbic said. "The service is convenient and is a big timesaver for both business travelers and vacationers."

Those who attend the grand opening will get a taste of Alaska and the Northwest with mini bagels and cream cheese with Alaska smoked salmon, sliced Washington apples, Tillamook cheese from Oregon and sparkling apple cider.

Following the opening ceremony, the Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers will visit Pueblo Gardens Elementary School and perform for the students. The six visiting dancers, who are traveling from Alaska especially for the occasion, are members of a group that has toured domestically and internationally.

Alaska Airlines was recently named best major domestic carrier by Travel and Leisure magazine. For reservations on Alaska Airlines, go to www.alaskaair.com or call your travel agent or Alaska's toll-free reservation line at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522). Alaska Airlines serves 44 cities in Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the Lower 48.