FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2019
Contact: Melissa Stepovich, 907-474-2522, melissa.stepovich@alaska.gov
Fairbanks International Airport Continues Trend of Record-Breaking Passenger Numbers
(Fairbanks, Alaska) – Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), one-half of the Alaska International Airport System, reported another record high summer for airline passenger traffic with an increase of 16,158 passengers or 2.8% over 2018 between May and September 2019. Passenger numbers at FAI have continued to climb over 2% per year over the last five years.
“My message continues to be that Alaska is open for business,” said Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy. “The passenger numbers demonstrate Alaska is one of the world’s top tourism destinations and the positive impact visitors have on our local and statewide economies. Fairbanks International Airport remains a bright spot in Alaska’s growing economy as they continue to expand business opportunities for locals and visitors alike.”
“Fairbanks continues to attract summer tourists to our Golden Heart City. Fairbanks International Airport is the gateway to Alaska’s Interior as well as Denali National Park,” said Angie Spear, Airport Manager. “This five year trend is a direct result of the hard work that both FAI and our community partners have collectively put into air service development to provide additional flight opportunities, as well as flexibility for travelers and their itineraries.”
In 2019 United Airlines added direct service to San Francisco and Denver. This increase in options for the traveling public positively affects both Fairbanks and the State of Alaska’s economy. Daily flights with Air North to FAI from Dawson City have continued to increase with passenger loads continuing to surpass expectations and has evolved into one of the most popular summer tour packages. Both Alaska and Delta Airlines summer flights to Seattle and Minneapolis also saw increases in passenger loads.
FAI is excited about the entrance of American Airlines to FAI with two new daily flights to Denver and Dallas in the summer of 2020.
For more information regarding FAI’s concessionaires and amenities visit dot.alaska.gov/faiiapAbout 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.
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