The Alaska International Airport System (AIAS), consisting of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and the Fairbanks International Airport, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA). SAA is the state owned enterprise that operates both Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) and Hongqiao International (SHA) Airports. The MOU affirms AIAS and SAA’s mutually beneficial business relationship in the Trans-Pacific Air Cargo market.
The MOU was signed by John R. Binder III, Executive Director, AIAS and Jing Yi Ming, President, SAA, the evening prior to the 2015 Alaska International Air Cargo Summit in Shanghai. The Cargo Summit was held in Shanghai on October 29th to further promote Alaska International Air Cargo business opportunities to the Asian air carriers and freight forwarders and to further build relationships with aviation and logistics business professionals.
The Shanghai Pudong Airport is the third busiest cargo airport in the world while the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the fifth busiest cargo airport in the world. The Anchorage Airport is a critical connection point for cargo traveling from Asia to the US, as it is a more efficient stop for aircraft carrying larger cargo loads. A significant number of air carriers connect Shanghai to North America through Anchorage, to include Air China Cargo, China Cargo Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Yangtze River Express, Korean Airlines Cargo, Qantas, Atlas, Polar, United Parcel Service, Air Bridge Cargo and Federal Express.
“We are very excited about this agreement with the Shanghai Airport Authority and look forward to partnering on projects that will mutually benefit both of our aviation systems,” said John Binder.
The Summit was hosted by the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (TSAIA) and the Fairbanks International airport (FAI). TSAIA has previously hosted Summits in Anchorage over the past few years to create synergy in the Trans-Pacific market and build partnerships with Asian air carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers. These relationships are essential to the airport’s business, with the Asian market being the larger portion of cargo traffic.
The Alaska International Air Cargo Summit was an incredible success, bringing together approximately 75 Asian aviation and freight forwarding business professionals including the (US) Air Forwarders Association. The summit facilitated open dialogue about the future of business through Alaska, and solidified relationships with the Shanghai Airport Authority, Shanghai International Freight Forwarders Association, and the (US) Air Forwarders Association.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 249 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”
