Alaska Airlines touts successful network evolution as 2015 growth estimates in high single digits

Alaska Air Group has no trepidation over growing capacity during 2015 by roughly 8% as its top line revenue and margins have continued to expand during a raft of new market introductions during the last four years.

Most of the expansion has been margin accretive; but at the same time Alaska Airlines is not backing away from exiting underperforming markets, and plans to cut several markets in early 2015 along with reducing capacity on other routes.

Obviously part of its strategy during the short term is managing increased competition from Delta Air Lines at its largest hub in Seattle. But with seven quarters of the competitive pressure under its belt, Alaska's overall financial health remains robust, evidenced by its pledge to grow shareholder returns year-over-year in 2015.