Fairbanks International Airport recently received a $750,000 grant to improve air service from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP).
Funds will be used to market the airport’s new nonstop services to Phoenix and Los Angeles.
“The Fairbanks International Airport did a great job in working collaboratively with community partners to secure this grant,” said Deb Hickok, president and CEO of Explore Fairbanks, the region’s destination marketing organization. “While we appreciate already-existing air service, we look forward to working together to gain options from a new western U.S. hub and leveraging that air service to grow visitation in Fairbanks.”
Aviation is critical to the state’s economy and vitality, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker said.
The airport and Explore Fairbanks created public-private partnerships with local businesses. The partnerships provide financial resources to supplement federal funds.
Partners include the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, the city of Fairbanks and Holland America Line/Princess Cruises.
SCASDP offered $9.925 million to small communities for the development of solutions to local air service needs. The program received 53 applications from 35 states and awarded 16 grants.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 239 airports.