News releases

SEATTLE, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg News reported today that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer and Donald Smith & Co. in connection with trading activity in Puget Energy, a Washington state utility. Bloomberg also reported that Ayer and Smith have not been accused of wrongdoing.

"I never provided any material non-public information about Puget Energy to Donald Smith & Co., or anyone else," Ayer said in a written statement to Bloomberg.

"The Alaska Air Group board of directors has full confidence in Bill and his high ethical standards," said Marc Langland, the board's lead independent director.

SOURCE Alaska Air Group