(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – Alaska's International Airport System, consisting of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Fairbanks International Airport, is poised for strong growth this summer.

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is forecasting robust growth. The available seats on out of state flights serving ANC is forecast to increase by 5.6 percent. This growth in capacity will allow for an additional 43,000 tourist from June through August and generate much needed economic activity for Alaska's tourism industry.

“The Anchorage airport is a key gateway for Alaska's tourism industry and we are excited that our growth will have a big impact to Alaska's economy," said Jim Szczesniak, Airport Manager. “With a typical tourist spending $1,000 in Alaska during their vacation, the impact of the projected growth will be measured in the tens of millions of dollars.”

June through August airline schedules show that the growth at Anchorage is broad based and coming from multiple airlines. There is double digit growth forecast in the Salt Lake City, Vancouver, Portland, and Minneapolis markets. The Seattle, Denver, and Atlanta markets are seeing strong single digit growth.

“Airlines are optimistic on the Anchorage market,” Said Trudy Wassel, Assistant Airport Manager and head of air service development. “Alaska Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada are all growing their capacity.”

In the market between Anchorage and Fairbanks capacity is forecast to grow 20 percent with an additional 17,000 seats available.

“Our two international airports are part of a system that benefits all of Alaska,” said John Binder, Executive Director of the International Airport System. “Growth in both markets helps distribute tourist throughout the state.”

This growth in passenger traffic is also being replicated in the air cargo market. Air cargo numbers this year are showing strong growth as well.

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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