London Heathrow is down to about 100 flights per day. Dubai, less than 75. Chicago O’Hare is down to around 45.
In this new pandemic world Atlanta no longer has the busiest airport. That title actually goes to Anchorage.
While U.S. airlines are required to retain some service there as a condition of receiving federal bailout money, that’s not what’s fueling Anchorage’s rise to prominence. Passenger travel has largely dried up, but cargo flights continue. And Anchorage is well-placed geographically for cargo flights from around the world – within a Boeing 767’s flight range of most of the world’s supply chain.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, named in honour of long-serving Republican senator Theodore Fulton Stevens Senior, last weekend became the world’s busiest airport.
…But its location makes it ideal for cargo. The airport is less than 9.5 hours from 90 per cent of the industrial world, making it perfectly located as a cargo hub for the rest of the US where demand for parcels is also sky-high.
Credit: Anchorage Airport
(HT: Donald W.)
Asian hubs for both FedEx and UPS.
ANC’s next door neighbor, Lake Hood Seaplane Base (LHD), is the world’s busiest seaplane base.
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/air_traffic_services/artcc/anchorage/media/Alaska_Aviation_Fact_Sheet.pdf
One of the perks of being stuck working from home is getting to see the Cathay Cargo 747 land at MIA from Anchorage every few mornings. Seeing an airline from Asia in Miami is a unique sight
What’s old is new again! This article needed at least a mention of the heyday of ANC!
ANC’s next door neighbor, Lake Hood Seaplane Base (LHD), is the world’s busiest seaplane airport. Cite upcoming.