FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2021
Contact: Melissa Stepovich, 907-474-2522
Fairbanks International Airport Forecasts Additional Seat Capacity for 2021 Summer Season
(Fairbanks, AK) - Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is preparing for an unprecedented increase in passenger flights for 2021 summer seasonal and year round carriers. With existing carriers expanding service and the addition of two new carriers, FAI is predicting an approximate 33% increase in seat capacity to the lower 48 over 2019 numbers and expecting a record year in number of flights and passengers.
United Airlines is returning to FAI this summer with a non-stop flight to Chicago (ORD) and another add on to Anchorage (ANC). Delta Air Lines has added six additional flights to Seattle (SEA), Minneapolis (MSP), and Salt Lake City (SLC). Alaska Airlines will be increasing summer service to include four daily flights to SEA and eight flights to ANC. Condor will return with direct weekly summer service to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) starting Saturday, May 22nd through September 14th. This will be Condor’s 20th year providing service at FAI. FAI is fortunate to have and maintain the continuing partnerships with these carriers.
American Airlines is one of the new carriers coming to FAI in May with seasonal daily direct flights to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Chicago (ORD). FAI is excited that American Airlines has joined the team of air carriers providing new service to the Fairbanks community.
FAI also welcomes Sun Country Airlines for the 2021 season, Sun Country will be providing direct weekly service to MSP. Their first flight is scheduled for May 29th with flights every Saturday through September 11th. Additionally, Sun Country is the designated air carrier for the new daily Amazon cargo flights direct from Portland (PDX) to a new sorting facility at FAI.
“Air service development is a priority at FAI, and we are proud to see this record expansion at the airport. We are very fortunate to have the support and partnership of so many groups throughout Fairbanks including our partners at Explore Fairbanks,” said Angie Spear, Airport Manager. “This service expansion shows that Fairbanks continues to be open and ready for business.”
Deb Hickok, president and CEO of Explore Fairbanks, said “After a tumultuous year especially for the travel industry, we are heartened by the confidence shown by airlines in our destination.” “This robust schedule of flights linking major hubs to FAI provides travelers with an incredible array of options to access the Fairbanks region, Interior and Arctic Alaska.” She noted that Explore Fairbanks soon will be launching an aggressive marketing campaign designed to invite visitors to “explore responsibly” this summer by taking advantage of wide open spaces as well as quality attractions and tours.
Commercial airlines operating at FAI this summer include Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Ravn, Condor Airlines, and 40-Mile Air.
Due to the projected increase in traffic, travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to their scheduled departure. To ensure passengers are leaving all prohibited items at home please visit the TSA “What Can I Bring” website.
For more information regarding FAI including concessionaires and amenities visit www.fai.alaska.gov.###
About Fairbanks International Airport
Fairbanks International Airport is the gateway to Alaska’s interior and Denali National Park. It’s one half of the Alaska International Airport System and serves more than a million passengers annually. Equipped to handle any size and type of aircraft, anytime, with state-of-the-art landing systems and terminal facilities. Accounts for 1 in 20 jobs for a total of 1,900 jobs in Fairbanks.
About DOT&PF
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 235 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, more than 5,600 miles of highway and 731 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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