(SitNews) Seattle, WA - Freezing rain and snow continue to affect Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air operations, which forced the carriers to cancel 310 flights to and from Seattle by early evening affecting 29,000 passengers. Only 15 of Alaska’s 114 daily flights and one Horizon flights had departed Seattle by that time as the region was hit by an extraordinary ice storm.

“We are doing our best to operate as many flights as possible to get people where they need to go as we cope with severe ice accumulation on our planes,” Alaska Airlines’ President Brad Tilden said. “We appreciate customers’ patience and understanding as we contend with the freezing rain that has disrupted travel throughout the region. Our operational decisions will continue to be guided by our commitment to safety.”

Both airlines are working to re-accommodate passengers whose flights have been disrupted. Passengers booked on canceled flights to or from Seattle between Jan. 17 and Jan. 20 may request a refund of the unused portion of their ticket at www.alaskaair.com through Jan. 25.

Customers who need to reschedule their travel should call Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 1-800-392-0228). The airline is waiving change fees.

Tilden advised customers to check the status of their flights online at www.alaskaair.com and not drive to the airport unless their flight is scheduled to operate.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air attempted to operate 20 departures from Seattle each on Thursday, as weather conditions permitted. Weather reports forecast freezing rain until midnight.

Seattle Travel Advisory for Friday, Jan. 20, 2012: Seattle weather conditions continue to pose significant challenges to Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air's operations. Due to fluctuating weather conditions and forecasts of freezing rain, Alaska Airlines is proactively canceling 50 flights and plans to operate 60 percent of its daily 120 departures Friday, Jan. 20. Details regarding Horizon Air's operation will be provided Friday.

Customers traveling on flights into and out of Seattle tomorrow are STRONGLY
urged to check www.alaskaair.com before leaving for the airport.

By the numbers:
• Due to the unusual icing conditions, it is taking one hour to deice one aircraft — four times longer than normal — and requires quadruple the amount of deicing fluid.
• Sixteen deicing trucks are being used to fight snow and ice. The trucks use forced air in conjunction with de-icing fluid, making them more efficient while using less fluid. Since 2008, the airline has increased its holding capacity of de-icing fluid at
Sea-Tac by 70 percent.
• Fifty phones and computer stations have been set up in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport terminal to enable additional agents to
rebook customers faster.
• More than 345 Alaska Airlines’ reservations agents are working to assist customers — a 35 percent increase in staffing. As many as 750 calls made to Alaska’s reservations center were on hold at one time.
• As many as 120 employees have been staying in hotels near Sea-Tac Airport the past two nights to ensure they could make it to work.
• More than 30 employees from Alaska Airlines’ Corporate Headquarters are volunteering at the airport today to assist customers.

Due to the ongoing possibility of adverse weather and as a precaution, the airlines are not allowing unaccompanied minors or checked pets to travel at this time.

Source of News: 

Alaska Airlines
www.AlaskaAir.com

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