06.22.01

Cantwell Applauds DOT Decision to Award Reagan National Airport Slots To Alaska Airlines for Daily D.C.-Seattle Non-stop Flight

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) today praised U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta for his decision to grant Alaska Airlines the last two open slots at Reagan National Airport, which will allow the Seattle-based airline to initiate a daily non-stop flight between Seattle and Washington, D.C. Following the decision announcement, Cantwell issued the following statement:

"I want to thank Secretary Mineta for a thoughtful decision that was clearly based on the strong merits of Alaska Airlines’ proposal to initiate the only daily non-stop service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.

"Alaska Airlines is an outstanding Washington state company with an exceptional record of customer service – something I’m sure Washington, D.C. passengers will appreciate as much as Washington state passengers always have.

"This new non-stop service between Washington, D.C. and Washington state is Alaska Airlines’ first entry into National Airport, and it fills a longstanding need for increased service between the nation’s capital and the Pacific Northwest. Although 23 domestic airlines at National Airport currently offer daily nonstop service to 64 U.S. cities, and direct service to three Canadian cities, this new service by Alaska Airlines is the first time non-stop service will be offered from National Airport to any city in the Northwest.

"Congratulations to all of the employees at Alaska Airlines. I’m looking forward to flying the new route when I travel home to Washington state."