Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: the Alaska-China Connection
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of the founding members of WTC Anchorage since the inception of the Center in 1987. Often referred to as the "Air Crossroads of the World" the Airport is located within 9.5 hours of 90% of the industrialized world. Asia Pacific routes play an important role in Airport's operations: it is estimated that approximately 80% of all Trans-Pacific cargo flights make a "technical stop" at the Anchorage Airport to refuel, change crews, and, in some cases, to transfer cargoes.
One of the growth engines for cargo activity at the airport is the ongoing expansion of trade between the United States and China. In addition to FedEx, UPS, and several other major U.S. all-cargo airlines, a number of mainland China and Hong Kong-based carriers also operate flights between Chinese and American cities via Anchorage. These Chinese carriers include Air China, China Cargo Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Yangtze River Express, and Cathay Pacific.
To highlight the importance of the Alaska-China business connection, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport participates each year in the Alaska-China Business Conference organized by WTC Anchorage.
