SEATTLE, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines today announced it has received U.S. Department of Transportation approval to provide nonstop service from Los Angeles to Loreto, Mexico. Supported by a marketing partnership with The Loreto Bay Company, the primary developer of the area, Alaska's twice-weekly flights will begin February 17, 2005.

The flights will operate Sundays and Thursdays, departing Los Angeles at 11:10 a.m. and arriving in Loreto at 1:59 p.m. Return flights will depart Loreto at 4:00 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 4:55 p.m. Alaska will use MD-80 series aircraft on the route-seating 12 in first class and 128 in the main cabin.

"This is indeed a unique opportunity to partner in the development of tourism to Loreto," said Alaska's Executive Vice President of Marketing and Planning Gregg Saretsky. "Our customers will be able to enjoy the warmth and uniqueness of a charming Mexico resort with same-day service from California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and western Canada."

Echoing the sentiment was Jim Grogan, president and CEO of Loreto Bay Company. "We are thrilled that Alaska Airlines will now be serving Loreto," said Grogan. "Alaska's commitment to excellent customer service matches our own. And as we introduce many more travelers and homebuyers to Loreto Bay, they will appreciate the convenience of Alaska's nonstop service from Los Angeles."

Loreto is a seaside village sandwiched between the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains and the Sea of Cortez. It is one of five areas (the others being Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Huatulco and Ixtapa) identified by FONATUR, Mexico's tourist development agency, as prime tourism growth sites in Mexico. Loreto will be Alaska Airlines' eighth destination in Mexico.

Alaska currently serves Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Manzanillo/Costa Alegre, Cancun and Guadalajara. Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve more than 80 cities in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com/ .

The Loreto Bay Company, a Canadian American corporation headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is developing The Villages of Loreto Bay -- a series of sea-side villages located on 8,000 scenic acres in the foothills near Loreto. For more news and information visit www.loretobay.com.