(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – Recent Moody’s A1 rating with stable outlook along with Fitch’s A+ rating with stable outlook reflect the Alaska International Airport System’s (AIAS) strong market position as a major international air cargo activity nexus, air transportation hub for the state, and key transportation asset for the State of Alaska. The stable outlook reflects the airport system’s stable enplanement levels, steady growth in operating revenues, and proactive cost management (See reports at Fitch and Moody’s websites).

“These ratings are reflective of the collaborative efforts of the international airports and airlines to help make the AIAS an efficient and effective place to do business,” said Deputy Commissioner John Binder.

Recent developments at Ted Stevens Anchorage International and Fairbanks International Airports include increased passenger enplanements and increases total cargo through put. System passenger traffic (enplaned, deplaned, and transit) is at a 15-year high and system cargo through-put is at a seven-year high. AIAS website statistics

Noted strengths of AIAS include:

• Essential transportation service within and to and from the state
• Substantial cargo revenues
• Solid financial position providing stability and flexibility

AIAS is an extraordinary economic engine; serving nearly 6 million passengers per year and accounting for 1 in 10 jobs in Anchorage and 1 in 20 jobs in Fairbanks. The purpose of AIAS is “To Keep Alaska Flying and Thriving.”

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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