The parent company of Alaska Airlines reported its highest quarterly profit in its history Thursday despite stiff competition in the Northwest skies.
Delta Air Lines continues to expand on Alaska’s home turf. Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden told Wall Street analysts his carrier is “doubling down” on service to hold its rival at bay.
“As we pause to take a look at how we’re doing midyear and two and a half years into the biggest competitive incursion we’ve seen in a while, I am happy to share that we are thriving. Our operation is firing on all cylinders.”
Alaska Air executives said they’re maintaining market share at SeaTac Airport, which both Alaska and Delta now claim as a key hub.
Delta has begun flying to Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, which had only been served by Alaska Airlines.
The brisk growth by both carriers seems to be coming at the expense of other airlines serving the Northwest such as United and Southwest.
Delta executives said they’re bullish about the performance of their new Pacific gateway during their own earnings conference call a few days ago.
