Alaska Air earns record 2011 profit of $244.5 million

Alaska Air Group (AAG), parent of Alaska Airlines (AS) and Horizon Air, reported 2011 net income of $244.5 million, up 2.6% from $225.1 million year-over-year, in its second consecutive year of record earnings. AAG Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer told investors and reporters that the improvement was the result of company initiatives, including “schedule optimization and network expansion, high load factors, lower non-fuel unit costs and operational performance.”