Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) officials are attributing anticipated record high passenger numbers this summer to new American Airlines (AA) flights and additional seats offered by carriers in May and September.
“My message continues to be that Alaska is open for business,” Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said. “The continued increase in passenger numbers demonstrates that Alaska is one of the world’s top tourism destinations; these are significant positive economic impacts for Fairbanks and the State of Alaska.”
The expected increase in flights from May to September 2020 represents a 26 percent rise from last season.
Last year AA announced daily nonstop service between FAI and both Chicago and Dallas / Ft. Worth, indicating it is noteworthy AA would become FAI’s third-largest carrier this summer season, after Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
AA’s service is slated to begin in May and continue through September and UA will switch from four times weekly to daily service this summer with continuing direct service to Denver starting in June.
“Most indicators show that the tourism industry in the Fairbanks region has had five consecutive years of record-breaking growth,” Explore Fairbanks President and CEO Deb Hickok said. “These additional flights capitalize on the increased demand created by the collaborative marketing efforts of tourism businesses and organizations.”
Passenger flights with Air North to FAI from Dawson City surpass expectations and have become one of the most popular summer tour packages. Alaska and Delta Airlines’ summer flights to Seattle and Minneapolis are seeing yearly increases in passenger loads.