In a springtime blitz campaign, “Be a Local Super Hero!” is encouraging those who book a business or leisure trip to an international destination to consider using one of the nonstop flights from Portland International Airport.

David Zielke, manager of air service development at PDX, said, “Today, as airlines face new challenges, we are asking the community to recommit to using our convenient nonstop flights on Lufthansa to Frankfurt, and on Northwest (a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines) to Amsterdam and Tokyo. We’re not asking locals to fly more in this tough economic climate, but to remember to use our nonstops when they do fly.”

The campaign, which runs Feb. 2 – March 31, will reach out to travel agents and local businesses with the message that the Local Super Hero’s choice to fly nonstop will have powerful results – the international flights at PDX generate a total airport and visitor direct business revenue of nearly $250 million.

For more information and to enter a video contest, visit flypdx.com. The winner will receive tickets for a trip abroad.

Alaska Airlines donates unused airline food

Alaska Airlines customer service agents at PDX, left to right, Rena Reiff, Yuko Tacha, Diana Barreras, Paola Villegas, Claudia Nelson and Heather Rolland.

Last year, Alaska Airlines donated more than 80,000 pounds of unused airline food to food banks in Portland and Seattle. The gifts were unopened bags of dried fruit, salami, cheese spread, crackers, cookies and items that were initially offered to first class passengers. Officials did not want the unopened snacks to go to waste.

In Portland, the airline and its catering contractor, LSG Sky Chefs, donated 18,843 pounds of food to the Oregon Food Bank, which distributes food to 20 regional food banks. In Seattle, Alaska gave 61,650 pounds of food to the Tukwila Pantry, which provides food to the neighborhoods around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Mystery Shopper and Diner Awards

As part of an ongoing effort to recognize and maintain high customer service standards for the concessions programs at PDX, a few select retail and food and beverage associates are honored as Associates of the Month.

PDX thanks the following associates for outstanding customer service efforts:

Melissa Shipton - Sandoval’s (Oregon Market)

Lainie Knutsen - Powell’s Books

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