SEATTLE, July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Air Group,
Inc., the parent company of Alaska Airlines, today announced two
senior leaders who will be responsible for guiding the planned
Virgin America subsidiary upon transaction close, expected early in
the fourth quarter this year.
Peter Hunt, currently Virgin
America senior vice president and chief financial officer, will
serve as president of Alaska Air Group's Virgin America subsidiary
until the airlines obtain a single operating certificate from the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), expected in early 2018.
"Peter is a proven and trusted leader at Virgin America and is
well-positioned to lead the airline and its teammates through the
transition," said Brad Tilden,
chairman and CEO of Alaska Air Group. "His understanding of the
Virgin America brand, as well as its guests, will be invaluable as
we work to build on the success Virgin America has achieved in nine
short years."
In addition to his role as chief operating officer and president
of Alaska Airlines, Ben Minicucci
will serve as chief executive officer of Virgin America effective
with the acquisition's close.
Hunt will report to Minicucci.
As the day-to-day leader of Virgin America, Hunt will be
responsible for leading all aspects of the airline's operations
until the FAA grants Alaska a
single operating certificate.
Earlier this year, Alaska and
Virgin America agreed to combine to create the premier airline for
people on the West Coast. With an expanded West Coast presence, a
larger customer base, and an enhanced platform for growth, the
combined airline will be positioned to provide more choices to
customers, increase competition and deliver attractive returns to
investors.
Hunt was named senior vice president and CFO of Virgin America
in July 2011. Before that, he served
as vice president and CFO of Pinnacle Airlines Corp., where he
oversaw the financial aspects of an airline with over $1 billion in annual revenue.
Hunt began his aviation career at Continental Airlines in 1996,
where he served in several finance positions including managing
director of corporate finance. He has a bachelor's degree from the
University of Virginia and an MBA from
Georgetown University.
Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32
million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of
970 daily flights throughout the United
States, including Hawaii,
Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. With Alaska's 17 global airline partners, customers
can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide.
Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight
with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming
entertainment direct to your device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food and
beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines ranked
"Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in
North America" in the J.D. Power
North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive
years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked
"Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards
Programs" in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program
Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska
Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn
more on the airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir,
facebook.com/alaskaairlines and
linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.
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SOURCE Alaska Air Group, Inc.