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Anchorage, Pittsburgh airports partner to boost air cargo operations
Airports to work together to improve air cargo speed and operational efficiency
June 18, 2020
(ANCHORAGE) –Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) have announced plans to work together to better streamline the air cargo supply chain.
The agreement between the two U.S. airports will boost sales and marketing efforts at both facilities, with a particular emphasis on cargo.
“We are continuing to build Pittsburgh International Airport into an international logistics center and growing cargo is a key driver for that,” said Christina Cassotis, Pittsburgh International Airport CEO. “We’re excited to partner with one of the busiest cargo airports in the world as we continue to sell Pittsburgh as a convenient – and speedy – cargo destination.”
At the center of the air cargo world, Alaska’s Anchorage International Airport can be reached by 90 percent of the industrialized world within 9.5 hours. Anchorage ranked as the sixth busiest cargo airport in the world last year with more than 2.7 million metric tons of cargo passing through. ANC, which serves 28 widebody air cargo carriers, trails only Hong Kong, Memphis, Shanghai, Louisville and Seoul among cargo hubs.
“ANC provides access to major markets in Asia, North America and Latin America, and is looking to grow its air cargo network by adding new destinations. With its strategic location providing access to the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast, Pittsburgh has great potential to capture future growth,” said Jim Szczesniak, ANC Airport Manager.
Cargo has become a key part of Pittsburgh International Airport’s business plan as officials look to build the airport into an international logistics center, capitalizing on its abundant space and ideal geographic location. That has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, even as passenger service nationally has decreased.
The agreement will allow both airports to work together to find innovation solutions for moving airfreight faster and more efficiently by exchanging information in airport management; exploring alliances between air cargo industries; seeking cooperative marketing opportunities; and exploring passenger service from Asia.
Ultimately, airport officials hope to expand the air cargo supply chain network in North America by establishing cargo service between Pittsburgh International and Anchorage International.
In addition to its ideal size and location, PIT plans to expand its air cargo operations with a 75,000-square-foot cargo processing facility and an adjacent surface parking lot. The project will be funded through an $18.69 million BUILD grant awarded to the airport by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Read more about the agreement here in Blue Sky News, a publication of Pittsburgh International Airport.
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| Media Contact: | Trudy Wassel; trudy.wassel@alaska.gov |
|
Eland Conway; eland.conway@alaska.gov |
|
Bob Kerlik; bkerlik@flypittsburgh.com |
About Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is an important gateway to the city of Anchorage and the State of Alaska. More than 5 million passengers fly through ANC annually. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is responsible for approximately 15,577 airport & community jobs, earning $1 billion. That's 1 in 10 jobs in Anchorage.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 239 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, more than 5,600 miles of highway and 776 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”
Keep Alaska Flying and Thriving
About Allegheny County Airport Authority
Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport, is committed to transforming Pittsburgh’s airports to reflect and serve the community, inspire the industry, and advance the region’s role as a world leader. Pittsburgh International Airport serves nearly 10 million passengers annually on 17 carriers. The airport was named by Fast Company magazine as One of the Most Innovative Companies in the World as well as a finalist in its World Changing Ideas awards, both in 2020. For more information, visit www.flypittsburgh.com.