Alaska Air simplifies cargo pricing

Under a new pricing structure, surcharges related to fuel will be rolled into Alaska Air’s base rates and customers will now be only charged by freight weight and a single screening fee.    Alaska Air Cargo has introduced a new simplified pricing model to provide a “straight forward shipping experience from start to finish,” the airfreight carrier said in a statement.
   Under this new structure, surcharges related to fuel will be rolled into Alaska Air’s base rates and customers will now be only charged by freight weight and a single screening fee. Alaska Air said the new pricing structure will provide more “predictable pricing” to its air cargo customers throughout the year.
   “As the only major U.S. carrier to operate freighters, Alaska Air Cargo plays a critical role in moving freight throughout the country,” said Jason Berry, managing director of Alaska Air Cargo, in a statement. “Simplifying the rate structure has been a top request of our customers and is the next step in the transformation of our cargo business.”
   Alaska Air also plans to automate several aspects of its cargo business later this year to reduce shipment processing times. 
   In addition, the carrier in early 2017 expects to take delivery of retrofitted 737-700  passenger aircraft that will be added to its freighter fleet. “The change to an all-freighter cargo fleet will allow Alaska Air Cargo to increase its main deck shipping capacity by 15 percent,” the airline said.