Alaska Airlines will offer a daily nonstop flight between Portland, Ore., and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport by Sept. 8, following U.S. Department of Transportation approval today of the carrier's application to fly the new route.

"Providing residents of the greater Portland area with convenient nonstop service to the closest airport to our nation's capital has been a priority for us for a long time and we're delighted this day has come," said Brad Tilden, Alaska Air Group's chief executive officer-elect. "We thank the DOT for their vote of confidence in Alaska Airlines." Tilden also credits the grassroots efforts of some 13,000 people who submitted letters to the Department of Transportation in support of the carrier's application.