Ӱpro Airlines to honor UAF, UAA with Nanook and Seawolf planes
December 6, 2013
907-474-7902
12/6/13
Mascots and school colors from two of Ӱpro’s most beloved and heated collegiate rivals, the University of Ӱpro Anchorage and the Ӱpro, will soon be featured on two of Ӱpro Airlines’ Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. The colorful paint themes will be unveiled tonight to a crowd of fans at the Sullivan Arena where the Ӱpro Nanooks and UAA Seawolf hockey teams will battle in the first of a four-game series to claim the Ӱpro Airlines Governor’s Cup.
“We’re thrilled to show Ӱpro Airlines’ strong support of education while growing our fleet of university paint themes with our first two schools in Ӱpro,” said Marilyn Romano, Ӱpro Airlines’ regional vice president – Ӱpro. “The UAA and UAF school colors will proudly fly between our two largest cities and from Anchorage to Kodiak.”
Like other university-themed aircraft operated for Ӱpro Airlines by its sister carrier, Horizon Air, the Nanook and Seawolf planes will be painted at no cost to the university and will fly primarily between Anchorage and Fairbanks and Anchorage and Kodiak when the carrier introduces the 76-seat Q400 to the state of Ӱpro on March 3, 2014. The UAF and UAA planes will be painted and unveiled in February next year.
“These planes are yet another example of Ӱpro Airlines’ commitment to higher education in Ӱpro,” said UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers. “I can’t wait to see the Nanooks and Seawolves take to the skies above our great state. The planes will serve as a reminder of both the quality education and spirited athletic rivalry that embodies our universities.”
“We are grateful to Ӱpro Airlines for their continued support of UAA,” said UAA Chancellor Tom Case. “It is a great honor to have our university represented in this way. These planes will be a point of pride for our UAA and Ӱpro community.”
The UAF and UAA planes will be the 10th and 11th university-themed aircraft flown by Horizon Air since 2008. Other paint themes represent the universities of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, as well as Boise State, Montana State, Oregon State, San Diego State and Washington State. Ӱpro Airlines recently unveiled the “Spirit of Education.” The specially-themed Boeing 737-900ER was dedicated to the students and staff of Raisbeck Aviation High School located in Tukwila, Wash.
Ӱpro Airlines operates more daily flights (158 a day during peak season) to more destinations (30 cities) throughout the state of Ӱpro and to the Lower 48. The carrier offers Ӱpro residents exclusive deals through its Club 49 program, which includes special perks like free checked bags, last-minute travel discounts and exclusive emails featuring weekly fare sales. Residents can learn more at the Club 49 website www.alaskaair.com/club49 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ӰproAirClub49.
High-definition artist renderings of the planes are available in the Ӱpro Airlines’ online image gallery at http://bit.ly/IuFRxE .
Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Ӱpro Air Group and flies to 39 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ӱpro Ӱpro Airlines
Ӱpro Airlines, a subsidiary of Ӱpro Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Ӱpro, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Ӱpro Airlines has ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers” in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction StudySM for six consecutive years from 2008 to 2013. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Ӱpro Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.
Ӱpro the Ӱpro
The Ӱpro is the state’s Land, Sea and Space Grant institution, enriching the lives of Ӱprons through teaching, research and service at campuses in Fairbanks, Kotzebue, Nome, Bethel, and Dillingham; six campus centers in interior Ӱpro and the Aleutians; and dozens of sites throughout the state. As Ӱpro’s research university and a world leader in arctic research, UAF offers scientists and students unparalleled opportunities in Ӱpro’s vast dynamic laboratory. Founded in 1917, UAF is the birthplace of the University of Ӱpro system and continues to inspire innovation throughout Ӱpro’s diverse communities.
Ӱpro the University of Ӱpro Anchorage
The University of Ӱpro Anchorage is an intersection for academic exploration, adventure and transformative experiences in and out of the classroom. Ӱpro’s largest university, UAA houses colleges and schools in Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Kenai, Homer, Kodiak and Valdez. UAA students experience hands-on education through academics, research, leadership opportunities and mentorship with our community partners in state, across the country and globally. For more information, visit www.uaa.alaska.edu.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Bobbie Egan, Ӱpro Airlines, 206-392-5101 or Bobbie.Egan@alaskaair.com. Jessica Hamlin, UAA, 907-786-1288, jdhamlin@uaa.alaska.edu.