ANCHORAGE, Alaska – At the invitation of Governor Sean Parnell, representatives from 18 air carriers from North America, Asia and Europe, are gathering in Anchorage Aug. 24 at 9 a.m., for an Alaska International Air Cargo Summit. The summit is designed to spotlight the unique airline opportunities for international air cargo transfer in Alaska that has been provided to the state by U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Congress.
“Aviation is an economic force in Alaska, contributing $3.5 billion to the state’s economy every year,” Governor Parnell said. “Our exclusive air cargo transfer authority reinforces the business-friendly environment that we’ve built in our state, and keeps Alaska favorably positioned in the global market.”
Aviation experts will address specifics of the special cargo transfer authorities available to international cargo carriers operating at the state-owned and operated international airports. Scheduled speakers include: George Wellington, chief of the Foreign Air Carrier Licensing Division of USDOT, and Jeff Shane, partner in Hogan & Lovells, who previously served as USDOT’s chief U.S. aviation negotiator and as an undersecretary for policy.
The state’s international airports in Anchorage and Fairbanks comprise the Alaska International Airports System. The airport in Anchorage is the key midpoint refueling stop for international cargo carriers on Pacific routes between Asia and North America.
Anchorage is ranked the second most active cargo airport, based on aircraft landed weight and ranked as the sixth busiest airport in the world based on weight of cargo.
“Our international airports are a gateway for trade between North America and Asia and expanding the international air cargo business at them is a top priority,” said Marc Luiken, deputy commissioner for aviation with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.