A new entity was announced this week in Anchorage Alaska, the new Alaska Aeronexus Alliance has been created to attract global investment at and around the Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage.  With ANC being the 5th busiest cargo airport in the world and supported by an unusual air cargo transfer flexibility, the thinking is that certain supply chains can be advantaged for a range of activities such as: forward deployment, product customization, final stage kitting, assembly, sorting/labelling, etc.  The Alliance is focusing on  a range of sector supply chains, especially in sectors where there is fundamental evolution occurring in terms of supplier location, product technology, and end-market growth.

In GLDPartners’ work with companies managing global supply chains for example in the electronics and automotive industries, we see a series of patterns that will lead to increased investment attraction at and around strategic air cargo hubs.  This can have dramatic effect on air cargo volumes, but also land and economic development.

Few airports today understand their markets from the perspective of “what’s in the box” and the inherent drivers that influence supply chain and production decision-making.  That said, ground investment will require more than air good connectivity.  The wider formula will require a combination that includes air cargo/transport competitiveness, land, labor, regulation, permitting and a total landed cost advantage.

Press story:   http://www.adn.com/article/20160128/state-city-and-industry-partner-spur-growth-anchorage-airport

Television news clip:  http://m.ktuu.com/news/new-group-looks-to-bring-more-outside-investment-through-anchorage-airport/37696756

American Shipper: http://www.americanshipper.com/Main/ASD/Alliance_to_promote_Anchorages_air_cargo_advantage_62913.aspx