Originally Posted by
9mikemike
Not sure about Alaska Airlines being too vital any longer . More a condition of the state of Alaska. Steady loss of high value oil and mining exploration and production. Steady loss of high value timber and fishing industry. Being replaced by low value tourism and service based economies. Drives down demand for high cost air service and provides for a more affordable although slower marine and over the road service.
You know what other major Alaska market changed from a resource based economy to a service based economy? Seattle. In the early 90s Seattle was a has been lumber and industrial center. Thirty years later, it's home to Amazon, Microsoft, etc. There are other ways to make money and serve society than digging holes and chopping down trees.