Record cargo volumes at ANC as passenger numbers pick up
18 / 08 / 2021
5G buffer zones will be implemented at 50 US airports. Photo: Shutterstock
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) has handled record air cargo volumes during the first half of 2021, as its passenger numbers picked up.
Between January and June, the hub processed 1.73m tonnes of air cargo — a 23.45% increase on the first six months of 2020.
The hub said it is expecting continued strength in air cargo traffic for the remainder of the year, particularly as “air cargo is about to enter its peak season” .
Jim Szczesniak, the ANC’s airport director, explained: “E-commerce ‘tech-celeration,’ port delays and low product inventories are causing a significant increase in air cargo activity.
“Our central location on the trans-Pacific trade lane, coupled with our efficient infrastructure and special transfer rights, have resulted in greater utilisation of ANC by shippers to maximise their air-cargo potential.
“We are seeing a continued shift in supply chains from periodic, container-sized shipments via ocean cargo to more regular, pallet-sized shipments via air cargo. With more than $1bn in private sector cargo developments in the pipeline at ANC, we expect this growth trajectory to continue.”
Passenger traffic at ANC in the first six months of 2021 was 348% higher than the same period orf 2020.
“Compared to 2019, ANC has recaptured 83% of its pre-pandemic passenger traffic,” the hub said.
