After a robust 2nd quarter, more passengers continue to stream through Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) this year. In Q3, ANC saw an increase of more than 49,500 passengers arrive, a 5.3 percent increase over Q3 in 2017.
ANC passenger traffic is up 3.1 percent through October this year, an additional 73,800 passengers. “This is great momentum we have going into the Holiday Season,” said Jim Szczesniak, airport manager, “2016 was down and 2017 was flat so we had to change our approach to grow service. We implemented a new strategy partnering with the tourism industry to better explain the Anchorage market to the airlines and that has really paid off. The additional money poured into our economy by additional tourists is measured in the tens of millions of dollars. ”
Next summer is looking good with additional flights and aircraft capacity. United Airlines will begin daily summer service to New York on June 20th. “Daily New York service was a strategic goal for the airport so we’re very excited we can provide daily access to this market. We’re working on opening new markets to fuel continued growth with the help of our partners in tourism,” said Szczesniak.
“We also saw some good growth in the shoulder season, an additional 11,000 passengers in September, and 6,000 in October.”
