Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) remains the leading cargo airport in the United States and ranks third worldwide, processing roughly five million passengers annually with continued growth in 2026. The strategic location near the Pacific Great Circle route enables major carriers including UPS and FedEx to use ANC for refueling, crew changes, and package sorting on routes connecting Asia, Europe, and North America.
ANC Passenger Growth and Expansion Plans
ANC experienced an 11 percent year-over-year increase in seat capacity during the first half of 2026, leading all medium and large hub airports in the nation, according to the Alaska International Airport System Development Manager Teri
Lindseth. This surge supports expanding air travel demand between Alaska and the Lower 48 United States.
The airport approved a comprehensive twenty-year master plan addressing terminal expansion, additional gate capacity, upgraded cargo infrastructure, parking improvements, and system modernization to accommodate this growth. The Federal Aviation Administration restarted the bidding process for a new 300-foot air traffic control tower after initial bids were too high, with no construction timeline currently set.
Airline Service and New Routes
Alaska Airlines expanded nonstop service in 2026 with new seasonal routes connecting Anchorage to Boise, Boston, Spokane, San Diego, and Sacramento. These additions include new midweek frequencies previously limited to
weekends. Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines regional vice president for Alaska, noted these routes improve accessibility for visitors and residents traveling between Alaska and the Lower 48.
American Airlines introduced a seasonal route between Anchorage and Phoenix starting in May 2026, running through September 8. Southwest Airlines began seasonal service at ANC in May 2026, enhancing competition and passenger choices. Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer, expressed the airline’s commitment to serving Anchorage and connecting customers to the region’s culture.
Southwest Airlines also announced plans to launch nonstop flights in 2026 between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Juan Santamaría International Airport
in San Jose, Costa Rica, expanding connectivity to Central America from Texas.
ANC’s Role in Economy and Passenger Experience
Ryan Anderson, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, emphasized ANC’s crucial function in global supply chains and economic opportunity for Alaska. The airport’s cargo leadership underscores the strength of local tenants, workforce, and strategic geographic advantages.
The airport enhanced passenger amenities with an award-winning concessions program, winning top honors in two categories in the Airport Experience Fact Book 2025. Passenger services include family rooms, pet relief areas, meditation spaces, adult changing stations, and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, which discreetly assists travelers requiring extra
support.
ANC’s ongoing modernization and expansion efforts are aimed at sustaining its dual role as a key cargo hub and growing passenger gateway, contributing to economic growth and expanded travel options for Alaskans and visitors alike.
