SEATTLE, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines today announced it has completed wing slat inspections on all of its 56 next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft before the deadline set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The checks confirmed all parts of the wing leading edge slat assemblies are properly installed per the manufacturer's specifications.

The FAA's directive follows a China Airlines 737 fire suspected to have started in the wing slat assembly.

As a proactive safety measure, Alaska Airlines initiated inspections of its next-generation 737 wing slat assemblies Aug. 23, before the FAA required the checks. The FAA's airworthiness directive requires U.S. carriers to complete visual inspections by Sept. 7 and more detailed torque checks by Sept. 18. Alaska conducted the visual inspection and torque check together during a six-hour process on each aircraft.

The airline's next-generation 737s represent about half of its 115-aircraft fleet. In addition to 20 737-700s, 24 737-800s and 12 737-900s that were included in the inspection process, the carrier operates 40 737-400s and 19 MD-80s.

Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, serve 92 cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. This year Alaska Airlines celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking the airline's growth from a single-aircraft operation in 1932 to one of the largest U.S. carriers. For reservations, visit http://www.alaskaair.com/. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at http://www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

CONTACT: Amanda Tobin Bielawski, +1-206-392-5134, or Caroline Boren,
+1-206-392-5799, both of Alaska Airlines

Web site: http://www.alaskaair.com/
http://www.alaskaair.com/newsroom