The Massive Scale Of Anchorage Airport Unveiled

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is a major airport in Alaska, located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Anchorage. The airport covers an area of 4,608 acres (1,865 ha) at an elevation of 151 feet (46 m) above sea level. It has three runways, the longest stretching to 12,400 feet, making it capable of accommodating any aircraft size or type. The airport is a cornerstone of Alaska's transportation network, connecting the state to the rest of the United States and facilitating access to hundreds of remote communities inaccessible by road.

The airport covers 4,608 acres (or 4,837 acres according to another source)

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport covers a vast area of 4,608 acres, according to one source. This figure translates to approximately 1,865 hectares and places the airport at an elevation of 151 feet or 46 meters above mean sea level. The airport's three runways vary in length and surface type, with asphalt, asphalt/concrete, and asphalt surfaces, respectively.

Another source states that the airport covers an even more impressive 4,837 acres of land. This discrepancy in acreage may be due to different methods of measurement or the inclusion of additional areas in the calculation. Regardless, it is clear that the airport is a sprawling complex, playing a pivotal role in Alaska's transportation network and serving as a cornerstone for the state.

The strategic location of the airport, equidistant from New York and Tokyo, places it within 9.5 hours of 90% of the industrialized world. This unique position cements Anchorage's status as a critical global supply chain hub, handling both passenger traffic and a significant volume of cargo. The airport's ability to accommodate various aircraft sizes and types further enhances its importance in the aviation industry.

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is named after Ted Stevens, who served as a senator for Alaska from 1968 to 2009. The airport has a rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1951 or 1961, depending on the source. Over the years, it has served as a refueling stop for various airlines and played an integral role in the growth of Anchorage and the State of Alaska.

With its size, elevation, and strategic location, the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is undoubtedly a significant aviation hub, facilitating travel and commerce on both a national and global scale.

It is located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Anchorage

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Anchorage. The airport is named after Ted Stevens, a senator from Alaska who served from 1968 to 2009. Anchorage is a crucial link in Alaska's transportation network, connecting the state to the rest of the United States and facilitating access to numerous remote communities that are inaccessible by road.

The airport's strategic location is a key factor in its importance. It is situated just 9.5 hours from 90% of the industrialized world, making it an ideal hub for cargo refuelling and technical stops. This proximity to major economic centres allows carriers to maximise their payload and revenue while maintaining efficient travel times. Anchorage's position has gained further significance due to the closure of Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian airspaces, as it provides an alternative route for flights between Japan and Western Europe.

The airport itself covers a vast area of 4,608 acres (or 4,837 acres according to another source), featuring three primary runways, the longest of which stretches to 12,400 feet. This length enables the airport to accommodate any aircraft size or type. The airport has two terminals and is connected to the historic Lake Hood Seaplane Base, the world's largest and busiest floatplane base.

In addition to its role as a cargo hub, the airport also handles passenger traffic, serving approximately 5 million passengers per year. Aviation is essential in Alaska due to the limited road accessibility, and the Anchorage airport plays a vital role in connecting communities within the state.

It is named after Ted Stevens, a senator of Alaska from 1968 to 2009

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (IATA: ANC, ICAO: PANC, FAA LID: ANC) is a major airport in Alaska, located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Anchorage. The airport is named after Ted Stevens, who served as a senator for Alaska from 1968 to 2009. During his time as a senator, Stevens dedicated his career to public service and left a legislative legacy that includes the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and the Alaska Pipeline Act, among numerous other laws that continue to benefit Alaska and the United States.

Stevens was born in 1923 in Indiana and raised in California. He moved to Alaska in the early 1950s and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a pilot in the China-Burma-India Theatre, receiving two Air Medals for his service. After the war, Stevens finished college, attended law school, and became a U.S. Attorney in Fairbanks, Alaska. He played an active role in the battle for Alaska statehood and served in various positions within the Interior Department during the Eisenhower administration.

In 1968, Stevens embarked on a statewide campaign for the Republican nominee, Elmer Rasmuson, despite losing the Republican primary himself. He was successful in this campaign and served as a senator for Alaska until 2009, making him the longest-serving senator in his party's history at the time. Stevens was known for his vigorous prosecution of violations of federal and territorial laws and was involved in raids with U.S. Marshals. He also advocated for various health causes, such as the creation of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program for Prostate Cancer at the Department of Defense.

The airport named after him reflects his impact on Alaska. Established in 1961, the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport covers 4,608 acres (or 4,837 acres according to another source) and features three primary runways, the longest stretching to 12,400 feet. It serves as a pivotal global supply chain hub, handling a high volume of cargo and passenger traffic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was briefly the busiest airport in the United States due to the sustained volume of cargo flights through Alaska.

It is a major cargo hub, ranked as the second busiest in the US and fourth busiest in the world

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is a major cargo hub, ranked as the second busiest in the US and fourth busiest in the world. The airport's strategic location is a key factor in its importance as a cargo hub. It is situated 9.5 hours from 90% of the industrialized world, making it an ideal spot for cargo refuelling and technical stops. This location allows carriers to maximise their payload by reducing fuel and increasing cargo.

The airport covers a vast area of 4,608 acres, with three runways, the longest of which stretches to 12,400 feet. This length enables the airport to accommodate any aircraft size or type. In 2019, the airport handled over 41,000 wide and narrow-body cargo aircraft landings.

Several cargo airlines, including FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, and previously NWA Cargo, have major hubs at Anchorage International. FedEx Express is the largest cargo facility at the airport, with an impressive capacity to handle 13,400 packages per hour and employing over 1,200 people.

The unique cargo transfer rules in Alaska further contribute to the airport's significance. Federal law allows foreign air carriers to transfer cargo between different aircraft of the same carrier without seeking special permission, a privilege not available at other US airports. This flexibility enhances the airport's appeal for cargo operations.

Anchorage's role as a cargo hub was particularly notable during the COVID-19 pandemic. While global passenger traffic decreased significantly, the demand for cargo capacity increased due to the need for supplies in the fight against COVID-19 in North America, many of which were produced in Asia. The airport's location and refuelling capabilities made it a crucial link in this supply chain.

It has three runways, the longest of which is 12,400 feet long

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is a major airport in Alaska, located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Anchorage. Covering an area of 4,608 acres (1,865 ha), the airport has three runways, the longest of which is 12,400 feet (3,780 m) long. This makes it capable of accommodating any aircraft size or type. The runway, designated 7R/25L, has an asphalt/concrete surface and is 200 feet (61 m) wide.

The airport, built in 1951, is named after Ted Stevens, who served as a senator for Alaska from 1968 to 2009. It is a crucial part of Alaska's transportation network, connecting the state to the rest of the United States and facilitating access to remote communities that are otherwise inaccessible by road. Aviation is essential in Alaska, as only 2% of the state's landmass is accessible by road, and ANC serves as a lifeline for many of these isolated communities.

The strategic location of the airport, just 9.5 hours from 90% of the industrialized world, makes it an important global supply chain hub. It is particularly well-suited for cargo operations, serving as a refuelling stop for cargo flights travelling between Asia and the contiguous United States. This allows carriers to maximise their payload by carrying less fuel and more cargo. As a result, Anchorage has become a pivotal cargo hub, handling a significant volume of air cargo and contributing to its status as a hub of commercial activity within the global marketplace.

The airport's role as a cargo hub was particularly notable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it experienced increased demand for cargo capacity due to the transportation of supplies for the fight against COVID-19 in North America, which were largely produced in Asia. At its peak, the airport handled close to 130 cargo wide-body aircraft per day, including the Antonov An-225 Mriya, the heaviest aircraft ever built.

Frequently asked questions