(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the announcement by the Department of Transportation that they would be approving Alaska Airlines’ request to provide nonstop service from Portland International Airport to Washington Reagan National Airport. In March, Senator Murray joined with the rest of the Washington delegation in sending a letter of support for Alaska Airlines request to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  She also worked with Senator Cantwell and other Senators in the region to include language in the FAA reauthorization that expanded service to National Airport, and as Chair of the Transportation and Housing Appropriation Subcommittee, Senator Murray has long championed expanding the Northwest’s access to this critical airport. 

“I am so pleased the Department of Transportation has approved Alaska Airlines’ request for nonstop flights between Portland and Washington, DC’s National Airport ,” said Senator Murray. “This is overdue recognition of the need for businesses and families in the Northwest to have access to this airport, as well as recognition by the Department of Transportation that Southwest Washington and the Portland area is a growing region, whose population growth, economic growth, and importance to matters here in Washington, D.C. warrant direct access to our nation’s capital.  I was proud to work with the Washington and Oregon Congressional Delegations, as well as Alaska Airlines to make these flights a possibility.  These flights will allow Washingtonians increased access to the nation’s capital and expand ties between the two regions.”

The new service is made possible by the recently enacted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization, which increases direct access to DCA from more Western cities by adding eight more nonstop flights.