Anchorage Intl Airport System Shows Robust 2025 Growth Amid Cargo Boom and Upgrades

(ANCHORAGE) Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is moving through its busiest building season in years as 2025 brings a wave of infrastructure upgrades tied to record cargo growth, a fresh sustainability push, and a long-awaited master plan update. Airport and state officials say the work is aimed at keeping Anchorage competitive as cross‑Pacific trade and e‑commerce continue to rise, while also preparing facilities to meet federal standards and community needs over the next decade.

Major projects now underway or starting in 2025

Airport leaders confirmed a broad slate of construction now underway or starting this year, including:

• Taxiway rebuilds and taxilane upgrades
• Water main replacements
• Apron and taxilane work at the North Terminal
• Runway 7R/25L concrete keel joint repair
• Security fence improvements
• Passenger boarding bridge replacements
• PFAS cleanup projects
• A new air traffic control tower (completion expected in late 2026)

The airport system’s director, Angie Spear, has emphasized that capacity and safety investments are essential as cargo numbers grow and aging pieces of the airfield reach the end of their service life.

Cargo growth and traffic trends

The growth story is clear in the traffic data:

• Between January and August 2024, 52 cargo airlines operated at the airport.
• Five new international cargo carriers arrived over 2024–2025: Awesome Cargo, Central Airlines, ASL Air Cargo, Aerologic, and CMA CGM Air Cargo.
• Officials project ANC will log its highest ever annual landed weight this year, supported by a 2% increase over 2024 (following a 4.9% year‑over‑year jump the prior fiscal year).

As a result, ANC now ranks as the second busiest airport in North America for landed cargo weight and fifth globally for cargo throughput, underscoring its role as a bridge between Asia and North America.

Sustainability and resilience planning

State leaders have linked momentum to policy and planning actions. In May, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) issued a request for proposals to produce a comprehensive Airport Sustainability and Resilience Plan for ANC. Key RFP details:

• Proposals due by August 25, 2025
• Development window: September 2025 – December 2027
• Budget: topping $1 million
• Plan scope: climate adaptation, environmental performance, and operational efficiency
• Public and stakeholder engagement is required and will shape investments in energy, infrastructure, and resiliency

Master Plan Update

ANC is finalizing a Master Plan Update, the first in more than a decade, to set development priorities across cargo, passenger, and general aviation. The planning team:

• Gathered input from airlines, tenants, public agencies, and the Anchorage community
• Will produce a final report expected soon that aligns with FAA requirements
• Aims to reflect both growth forecasts and environmental concerns heard in outreach

Officials such as DOT&PF commissioner Ryan Anderson and Governor Mike Dunleavy have pointed to new cargo carriers and airport performance as signs that capacity projects are well‑timed and beneficial for Alaska’s economy.

Airfield changes tied to cargo demand

Cargo demand is reshaping the airfield geometry and support facilities:

• A 9.99‑acre aircraft parking lot is being built at Lake Hood to replace space repurposed by the tower project; work runs through late 2026.
• Lake Hood remains the world’s busiest seaplane base and plays a daily role in moving goods and people to remote communities.
• FAA forecasts point to more than 334,000 aircraft operations by 2030, underscoring the need to address pavement condition and airfield layout.
• Crews are prioritizing high‑priority pavement segments, including Runway 7R/25L keel joints that carry heavy freighter loads.

Sequencing, coordination, and minimizing disruption

Officials say projects are sequenced to keep flights moving and reduce bottlenecks:

1. Coordinate Taxiway R North & U improvements with Taxilanes E & M upgrades to limit operational impacts.
2. Sequence terminal water main improvements and boarding bridge replacements to improve winter reliability.
3. Phase security fence upgrades and PFAS remediation to limit disruption.

The airport posts advisories on traffic, parking, and access routes and encourages travelers to allow extra time when moving through construction zones. For active notices and project maps, see the ANC passenger construction page maintained by DOT&PF at Construction Updates.

Public engagement and community input

Modernization carries a public process:

• The sustainability plan RFP requires consultant teams to hold listening sessions, collect climate‑risk data, and identify practical steps to cut energy use and boost resilience.
• The Master Plan Update used online materials and open meetings to collect comments on cargo aprons, terminal flows, and general aviation safety.
• Feedback has guided near‑term priorities such as key taxiway intersections and improved snow removal pathways to support winter reliability.

“The tower is both a safety upgrade to meet FAA standards and a civic landmark that reflects ANC’s central place in Anchorage life,” said Stantec’s Giovanna Gambardella.

The Lake Hood parking expansion aims to preserve floatplane access and reduce congestion as seasonal activity increases.

Cargo operator activity and operational pressure

Airport records show active carrier use and concentrated demand:

• Atlas Air led Jan–Aug 2024 with 4,087 stops, followed by UPS, FedEx, Cathay Pacific, Kalitta Air, and Alaska Central Express.
• Officials estimate annual landed weight could climb by 149.5 million pounds with new carriers—adding pressure on apron space and taxi times during peak cargo banks.

Airport leaders emphasize that repairing pinch points now—particularly surfaces tied to Runway 7R/25L—helps keep schedules tight.

Environmental and community concerns

Community voices seek balance between growth and environmental protection:

• Environmental advocates call for firm action on PFAS contamination, improved stormwater and de‑icing runoff management, and safer fuel handling.
• The sustainability and resilience plan is expected to include milestones, metrics, and a public reporting structure.
• Village and neighborhood stakeholders, along with airlines, tenants, and federal partners, will participate in discussions.

For formal notices and updates on procurement or public meetings, residents can check Alaska’s Online Public Notices.

Passenger and traveler impacts

Travelers will see tangible improvements and some temporary inconveniences:

• Boarding bridge replacements at multiple gates should smooth boarding during storms and speed turnarounds on icy ramps.
• Water main work aims to reduce the risk of outages during freeze‑thaw cycles.
• Road and fence improvements will bolster landside safety and protect secure airside areas.
• Some projects will cause detours or tighter parking—especially during peak summer travel—so the airport advises checking advisories and following posted signs near work zones.

Why now: broader context and forecasts

The broader numbers explain the urgency:

• FAA forecasts project growth from a 2019 baseline of 261,961 annual operations to more than 334,000 by 2030.
• The COVID‑19 era surge in e‑commerce shifted distribution patterns, placing Anchorage at the heart of trans‑Pacific supply chains.
• Freight integrators and combination carriers use ANC to refuel, change crews, and reposition aircraft, lowering time and cost on long‑haul routes.

This formula has made the airport a fixture for global trade and a steady source of jobs and revenue in Alaska.

Execution timeline and funding

Airport managers say the coming months focus on execution:

• Finish weather‑sensitive pavement and utility work before winter.
• Keep later design and construction phases on track for 2026–2027.
• The Master Plan Update will list phased projects, cost ranges, and funding paths—likely combining federal, state, and airline contributions.

A focus on safety and reliability—especially for heavy freighter traffic—runs through the plan, with Runway 7R/25L repair highlighted as a critical task.

Takeaways for residents, carriers, and regulators

• For residents: short‑term construction pain aims to deliver long‑term benefits—smoother passenger service and stronger cargo reliability that support local stores and jobs.
• For carriers: upgrades promise more predictable operations and modern facilities that reduce taxi time and delays.
• For regulators: the state’s planning program seeks to meet strict safety, environmental, and operational standards in Alaska’s harsh climate.

According to VisaVerge.com analysis, Anchorage’s approach—pairing near‑term fixes with a clear planning horizon—matches how other leading cargo hubs handle rapid growth while moving toward cleaner, more resilient operations. If ANC meets construction deadlines and sustains cargo gains, officials believe the airport can climb global rankings without sacrificing on‑time performance or safety.

How to stay informed

As the summer work season continues, ANC urges the public to stay engaged:

• Project teams post updates, schedule changes, and meeting notices online.
• Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on neighborhood and travel corridor impacts.
• Sign up for alerts to track closures and milestones.

For details on current projects, travel advisories, and meeting calendars, see DOT&PF’s official page at Construction Updates, which hosts maps, timelines, and notices tied to the 2025 construction program and beyond.