Alaska Airlines has unveiled a new wholly-owned ground handling subsidiary.
The new venture, called McGee Air Services, will clean and handle aircraft on the ground and engage in other airport related operations.
Although Alaska Air is consistently one of the most punctual US airlines, the carrier says it wants more control over airport-based tasks.
"Alaska needs to have more options when it comes to ground handling, aircraft cleaning and wheelchair services," Alaska Air chief operating officer Ben Minicucci said in a release.
"Having more airline services options will help Alaska provide a superior air travel product for customers at competitive costs."
Alaska Airlines veteran Dean DuVall has been appointed president of McGee, which will be run independently and may offer its services commercially to other carriers.
It will provide ‘a competitive alternative in the marketplace," DuVall said.
The new company’s name is a throwback to Alaska Air’s early origins as McGee Airlines in the 1930s.
