Alaska Airlines? 737-400 ?combis? enter fleet

Alaska AirlinesÆ 737-400 ôcombisö enter fleet Alaska Airlines on Thursday reintroduced two Boeing 737-400 aircraft, which have been retrofitted into 'combi' passenger-cargo planes.
   The two planes will be routed throughout the state of Alaska with an emphasis on serving the northern and western Alaska points of Prudhoe Bay, Barrow, Kotzebue, Nome and Bethel.
   First introduced to Alaska Airlines' fleet as passenger aircraft in 1992, the combis were retrofitted by Pemco World Air Services, a subsidiary of Pemco Aviation Group Inc., which performs maintenance and modification of aircraft for the U.S. government.
   In June, Pemco retrofitted a 737-400 into an all-cargo freighter for the airline and is retrofitting another two combis slated for delivery later this year. Alaska Airlines also has options with Pemco to convert a second freighter and fifth combi aircraft.
   Alaska Airlines said its $100 million plan to upgrade its cargo fleet and infrastructure will provide about 20 percent more cargo capacity and passenger seats than the fleet of 737-200 aircraft they replace.
   'These combis — the first of their kind in the world — are uniquely designed to meet the needs of both cargo customers and passengers throughout the state of Alaska,' said Bill MacKay, Alaska Airlines' senior vice president for the state of Alaska. 'By upgrading the fleet and modernizing cargo infrastructure, we are providing more cargo capacity, a more comfortable passenger experience and a more reliable flight schedule.'