Alaska Air Group appoints Ben Brookman to steer $3B hub real-estate overhaul

New Alaska real estate chief to steer $3 billion hub overhaul

SEATTLE, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Alaska Air Group names Ben Brookman vice president of real estate and airport affairs as the carrier presses a multi‑billion dollar overhaul of its hub infrastructure and global network operations. The promotion places Brookman at the center of airport strategy as Alaska expands capacity, guest services and international routes for its Alaska and Hawaiian brands.

Alaska's Hub Real Estate Overhaul

Brookman, who is promoted after 17 years in the industry, is taking charge of the airline’s global real estate strategy and investments across all airports, directing airport access, infrastructure and corporate real estate to support long‑term network growth. He reports to Shane Jones, senior vice president of fleet, revenue products and real estate, and succeeds into a role that expands as Alaska invests more than $3 billion in hub airports to create a “world‑class” guest experience and operational resilience. In this role Brookman leads master planning, lease negotiations and capital project delivery that the airline says are essential to accommodating new routes and higher passenger volumes.

Alaska is growing a two‑brand network and expects its real estate portfolio to become increasingly complex as it integrates airport locations and operations for Alaska and Hawaiian. Brookman coordinates airport access initiatives, public‑private partnerships and stakeholder relations to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operations while enabling route expansion to more than 140 destinations. Jones calls the promotion timely as the carrier adds new international destinations and elevates onboard and ground experiences, citing Brookman’s deep aviation background and infrastructure negotiation experience as qualifications to manage the portfolio.

Other developments

Since November 2021 Brookman is credited with leading airport planning efforts as Alaska’s managing director of airport affairs, where he shapes master plans and contract talks across the network and plays a key role in the airline’s long‑term airport infrastructure strategy. Executives say his work has been central to integrating Alaska and Hawaiian locations and coordinating two‑brand operations.

Network expansion and operational focus

Alaska is growing to more than 140 destinations, including about 29 international markets across North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, with Europe service scheduled to start in spring. The promotion underscores Alaska’s strategic vision to connect guests globally while prioritizing safety, care and operational performance as it accelerates capital projects and airport partnerships.