(May 15, 2002) -- Alaska Airlines has announced that starting May 16, it will begin selling tickets on its web site for three flights between LB and Seattle [three from Seattle to LB and three from LB to Seattle].

Alaska Airlines' web site indicates the flights are scheduled to begin on September 9.

Meanwhile, the carrier is pursuing its request for three "final" (permanent) flight slots via a City Hall administrative appeal.

LB Airport has told the carrier that no permanent flight slots are available, noting that all 41 slots allocated in LB's airport ordinance for aircraft over 75,000 pounds are filled (flying or reserved) by others. Alaska is appealing the Airport's decision administratively, which could ultimately bring its request for additional flight slots to the City Council and, if the carrier is not satisfied with the outcome, potentially to court. .

LBReport.com posts on a link below correspondence between Alaska Airlines and LB Airport regarding the flight slots.

As LBReport.com reported first among LB media last month, Alaska Airlines requested the three LB Airport flight slots following a separate request by American Airlines for four flight slots.

Alaska Airlines, which has not flown from LB Airport for seven years. was previously a party to litigation against the City over LB's Airport restrictions. In 1995, LB City Hall and aviation interests entered into a settlement agreement barring the aviation interests from challenging LB's airport noise ordinance and barring City Hall from making the ordinance tougher while the settlement agreement was in effect.

LB's Airport noise ordinance remains in force although the settlement agreement expired on January 1, 2001.

Correspondence between Alaska Airlines and LB Airport regarding flight slots is posted in pdf form at Alaska Airlines/LB Airport correspondence.