Alaska Airlines Limits Flights in and out of Alaska After Mount Redoubt Eruption

Alaska Airlines has resumed some flights in and out of Alaska following a volcanic eruption of Mount Redoubt at 8:40 a.m. today. Flights are operating on a limited basis pending favorable reports that ash clouds have moved out of the area.

Travelers are advised to check the status of flights before leaving home at alaskaair.com or by calling 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522). Specific information about flight changes related to the Mount Redoubt volcano is available at alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines was forced to cancel more than 100 flights this week as a safety precaution when ash clouds from the eruptions moved toward Anchorage, posing a significant risk to air travel.

"We are continuing to closely monitor the weather and ash from Mount Redoubt to assess our ability to safely operate flights in and out of Alaska, and we may make further adjustments to our schedule if conditions change," said Ben Minicucci, chief operating officer and executive vice president of operations. "We’re making every effort to re-accommodate passengers whose flight schedules have been disrupted by this recent eruption."

Passengers booked on a canceled flight between March 26 and 27, 2009, may rebook by midnight Alaska time April 2, 2009, without penalty or apply for a full refund of the unused portion of their ticket. Passengers on new reservations and those scheduled for travel after April 2, 2009, who wish to change their flights will be charged applicable penalty and change fees. Passengers booked on an Alaska Airlines Vacation should contact the Vacations Department at 1-800-468-2248.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group , 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.

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SOURCE: Alaska Airlines