TREADWELL CHAMPIONS ALASKA AS AIR CARGO HUB

The following information was released by the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska:

Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell championed Alaska as an air cargo interchange for international air carriers during a keynote address to the 2011 Alaska International Air Cargo Summit on Tuesday.

"There's only one place where federal law allows non-U.S. airlines to transfer cargo bound for an international destination and that's in Alaska," Treadwell said. "Alaska fought for these exemptions in federal law and will work with industry to use them."

Representatives of 18 different U.S. and international air cargo and freight forwarding companies participated in the summit to learn about the advantages of using Alaska's International Airports System, as it has the most flexible air cargo transfer rights in the United States.

"Our strategic location combined with our ongoing efforts on Arctic access and safety initiatives including NextGen technology and the Arctic Council's Search and Rescue Agreement make Alaska a great place to stop," Treadwell said. "Alaska offers the geography and the incentives to help increase international airlines' market effectiveness and logistics efficiency."

According to the Alaska Air Carriers Association, the aviation industry employs 47,000 Alaskans 10% of its total workforce and contributes $3.5 billion to the state's economy. In addition, the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the 5th busiest in the world by air cargo throughput.

"Aviation is a game-changer in this state, and Alaska is committed to working with international airlines to make sure that we maintain our leadership as an air cargo interchange," Treadwell said.

The second annual summit was hosted by the State of Alaska's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Statewide Aviation branch, the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and the Fairbanks International Airport.