Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) has filed a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) for a public/private partnership to operate and manage the international terminal at the airport as it looks to boost the number of global travelers coming to experience Alaska’s natural beauty.
ANC currently serves four international passenger markets with nonstop service and is the closest west coast airport to Asia. ANC is also strategically located to provide connecting options between Asia and Latin America.
“The airport has an existing eight-gate international terminal that is ideally positioned to capture a portion of the forecast growth in air travel between Asia and North America,” says Jim Szczesniak, ANC airport manager. “The terminal has a great history. In its peak, the duty-free store generated over $100-million in annual sales and the terminal can handle 8 wide-body aircraft at a time.”
The EOI will give the airport some indication of the interest in having a third-party operator to take over the operations and management of the international terminal. ANC says it hopes a private operator could upgrade the terminal to enhance the international passenger experience with high quality stores, restaurants and a VIP lounge. The operator would also assist in international air service development.
“Asian tourists’ top desire when visiting the U.S. is to experience nature,” says Szczesniak. “Alaska is home to eight national parks, glaciers, the northern lights, abundant wildlife and the tallest mountain in North America. ANC’s international terminal presents a tremendous opportunity to capture future passenger growth.”
