UPS Airlines (5X, Louisville International) has confirmed that it is planning a USD110 million dollar expansion at Anchorage Ted Stevens, as the cargo carrier is looking to lease an additional 1.35 million square feet (125,419.1 square meters) of land.
The new building will, in part, support the airline's growing fleet of B747-8(F)s company spokesman Mike Mangeot told the Anchorage Daily News. UPS uses the airport as a gateway to Asia and is a vital hub in its global network. According to the ch-aviation PRO airlines module UPS operates 15 of the B747-8 cargo variant.
The proposed expansion would “accommodate future growth and efficiency" for UPS, Mangeot said. While its plans are not completely finalised, the company hopes to break ground in May 2020 and complete construction in 2022.
Alaska CargoPort, a real estate development company that developed a cargo transfer facility at the airport in 2000, has applied to lease the land on UPS’ behalf.
The airport is the world's fifth-busiest air cargo hub and benefits from the fact that it is one of a few airports where foreign cargo can be transferred between aircraft without being subject to customs and other trade requirements.
Anchorage is currently experiencing a surge of proposals for new warehouse and cargo space. Other proposed work at the airport include projects with FedEx Express (FX, Memphis International), 6A-XL Aviation Alaska and Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage.
