Alaska Air Group, Inc. reported operating results for the month and year to date ended April 2013. For the month, the company reported revenue passengers of 2,218,000, revenue passenger miles of 2,375 million, available seat miles of 2,758 million and passenger load factor of 86.1% compared to revenue passengers of 2,094,000, revenue passenger miles of 2,189 million, available seat miles of 2,533 million and passenger load factor of 86.4% for the same period a year ago. On a combined basis, Air Group reported an 8.5% increase in traffic on an 8.9% increase in capacity compared to April 2012. This resulted in a 0.3-point decrease in load factor to 86.1 percent. These statistics include flights operated by Alaska and those under capacity purchase agreements, including Horizon, SkyWest and PenAir. For the year to date, the company reported revenue passengers of 8,563,000, revenue passenger miles of 9,171 million, available seat miles of 10,741 million and passenger load factor of 85.4% compared to revenue passengers of 8,089,000, revenue passenger miles of 8,421 million, available seat miles of 9,877 million and passenger load factor of 85.3% for the same period a year ago.

Union-represented flight attendants from Alaska Airlines said they have filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board in a contract negotiation that has gone on for 18 months. The move comes at the one-year anniversary of the contract's amendable date. The flight attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Negotiations started in November 2011, and have been on-going for the past 18 months. Talks stalled over compensation as the parties were exchanging comprehensive proposals. Under the NMB guidelines, either party may request mediation. The Association of Flight Attendants represents nearly 60,000 employees and is part of the 700,000-member Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported GAAP profit of $37 million compared to $41 million a year ago. Adjusted first quarter net profit was $44 million or $0.62 per share compared to net profit of $28 million or $0.39 per share a year ago. This compares to last year's adjusted net income of $28 million or $0.39 per diluted share. Total passenger revenue was $978 million compared to $896 million a year ago. Total operating Revenue was $1,133 million compared to $1,039 million a year ago. Operating income was $64 million compared to $72 million a year ago. Income before income tax was $59 million compared to $66 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share was $0.51 compared to $0.56 a year ago. On an adjusted pretax basis, the company reported a $71 million profit, which is $25 million or 54% better than last year. The company generated $212 million of operating cash flow on the first quarter compared to $183 million last year. Capital spending was approximately $100 million as took delivery of three 737-900 ERs and made advance payments on future deliveries, resulting in over $100 million of free cash flow. For the quarter, revenue passengers were 6,346,000 compared to 5,995,000 a year ago. RPMs traffic was 6,796,000 compared to 6,232,000 a year ago. ASMs capacity was 7,983,000 compared to 7,344,000 a year ago. Load factor was 85.1% compared to 84.9% a year ago. The company currently expects full year 2013 CapEx to be approximately $450 million based on firm order book. The company expects to generate free cash flow for its fourth consecutive year.