The State of Alaska is advancing feasibility and development efforts to establish the Alaska Next Generation Syn Fuel Refinery (ANSyR), a commercial-scale Synthetic Aviation Fuel facility anchored by Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Fairbanks International Airport (FAI).
In FY2025 alone, Anchorage uplifted 916.6 million gallons of jet fuel — nearly one billion gallons — making it one of the world’s most concentrated trans-Pacific cargo refueling hubs and generating sufficient demand to support a standalone commercial Syn Fuel production facility. As global carriers face tightening emissions standards and carbon compliance obligations, access to competitively priced low-carbon synthetic aviation fuel is increasingly essential to sustain this growth and preserve Alaska’s competitive advantage as a global cargo gateway.
Total jet fuel uplift increased from 833 million gallons in FY2023 to 860 million gallons in FY2024 and 916.6 million gallons in FY2025 — nearly 10% growth in two years. Cargo activity in July–December 2025 exceeded 2.1 million metric tonnes, with year-over-year growth exceeding 5% in the second half of the year. Passenger expansion reinforces this trajectory. In 2026, Anchorage ranks as the fastest-growing airport in the United States by interstate seat capacity, driven by expanded service from Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, American, and the addition of Southwest Airlines. System resiliency further strengthens demand fundamentals. Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), located north of the Alaska Range in a distinct climate zone, serves as ANC’s primary diversion airport — reducing correlated weather risk and ensuring continuity of cargo and fueling operations. Anchorage’s competitive landing and fuel flowage fees, available airfield capacity, and continued private-sector cargo infrastructure investment support durable, long-term aviation fuel demand capable of commercial-scale Syn Fuel production.
Alaska has positioned the Alaska Next Generation Synfuel Refinery (ANSyR) for development through proactive site readiness, infrastructure investment, and coordinated public-private alignment. Industrial land has been secured with the zoning, marine access, and expansion capacity necessary to support large-scale fuel production, significantly reducing early development and permitting risk.
Together, this combination of site readiness, infrastructure capacity, developer interest, and policy alignment positions ANSyR as a commercially viable opportunity for large-scale synthetic aviation fuel production.
