The airlines seemed to be following in Alaska Air’s footsteps during the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Transportation conference yesterday, many voicing for the first time their targeted return on invested capital, something Alaska has been doing for a few years now. The change was not lost on Alaska Air Group CEO Bill Ayer who mentioned it at the top of his remarks pointing to its target of 10% return on invested capital (ROIC). For its part Delta, is also targeting a 10% sustainable return on invested capital, according to President Ed Bastian.