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Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air recently concluded their annual Aviation Day events in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. The events attracted nearly 4,000 participants and over 600 volunteers across the three cities. Aviation Day aims to provide local youth with insights into aviation careers, allowing them to interact with employees and gain hands-on experience with aircraft.
This year marked the 17th anniversary of hosting Aviation Day, including a strong second year in San Francisco. The event draws thousands of children and teens to explore careers at Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and partner organizations. Participants have the opportunity to see aircraft up close and meet employees from various sectors such as the FAA, local fire departments, fuel companies, and airports.
Captain Kim Gabrelcik, Director and Base Chief Pilot at San Francisco International Airport for Alaska Airlines, emphasized the impact of these events: “You never know how a single moment of exposure could change the trajectory of someone’s life. At its core, Aviation Day is about inspiring the next generation; whether we are helping attendees see themselves in aviators who look like them, sparking curiosity with hands-on, interactive experiences or teaching them about the wide variety of careers in aviation. For many students, this is a transformational moment and a glimpse into careers they may not have known existed.”
