SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines is spinning its on-time performance into a new business venture. The Seattle-based air carrier announced Tuesday it has launched a wholly-owned subsidiary, McGee Air Services, to clean and handle aircraft on the ground and do other airport-based tasks known as airline services.
The new company will bid for Alaska contracts. As it develops, McGee will consider offering its services to other air carriers, Alaska said in a news release.
Alaska Airlines veteran, Dean DuVall is president of McGee, which will operate independently of its parent company. Previously, DuVall managed the airline’s station operations, regulatory compliance and supply chain, among other operations.
The airline needs “to have more options when it comes to ground handling, aircraft cleaning and wheelchair services,” Alaska Airlines chief operating officer Ben Minicucci said in the release. “Having more airline services options will help Alaska provide a superior air travel product for customers at competitive costs.”
The company regularly gets high marks for its customer service and flights running on time.
McGee will offer “a competitive alternative in the marketplace,” DuVall said in the release.
The new company’s name is a nod to Alaska Airlines’ origins as McGee Airways in 1932.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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