Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) handled record cargo volumes last year as e-commerce soared and the use freighters to carry cargo increased.
The airport, which has a large number of freighter services, saw its cargo volumes increase by 16% year on year to 3.5m tonnes.
“The tremendous surge in cargo volumes through ANC has been fueled by an increase in e-commerce, PPE, and displaced belly cargo,” said airport director Jim Szczesniak.
He added: “The pandemic has left an indelible mark on the e-commerce landscape, accelerating market growth—reaching numbers not forecast to be seen in the US for another two years.
"We expect our cargo numbers to remain strong into 2021; as the air cargo industry continues to recognise the benefits and efficiencies of ANC; as e-commerce shopping becomes routine; as international travel restrictions continue to displace belly cargo.”
The airport said that it is 9.5 hours flying time "from 90% of the industrialised world" and has more than 200 widebody freighter operations per day.
The airport also pointed out that it has plans to continue to expand in cargo - there is more than $1bn worth of private air cargo developments proposed for ANC.
This includes recently announced cold chain facilities.
Szczesniak said: "These warehouse facilities will provide cargo carriers, freight forwarders, pharmaceutical, and other industry partners infrastructure required to leverage ANC’s strategic location and liberalized cargo transfer rights to consolidate cargo shipments here and ship nearer to the end customer, thereby limiting time en route.”
