Ever since the 16th century when France added the noun “cabotage” to the world trading dictionary, declaring that only French ships could trade in French ports, the rule has spread from ships to airplanes, to rail and road transport all over the world.
     Well, move over cabotage, here comes Anchorage, Alaska.

Smack Dab In The Middle

     “Our big claim to fame in Anchorage is that oft repeated phrase that we are located in the center of the world.
     “Well in fact we are!” Jim Szczesniak, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Manager exclaims.
     "Anchorage by any measure is nine hours from 90% of the industrial world,” Jim said.
     “What we are trying to market is that the connectivity of our airport is unbeatable.
     “On a daily basis, for example I have 21 non-stop flights to markets that we serve with main deck freighters, alone.
     “Extending that number to weekly freighter services, we serve 23 markets.
     “So bringing cargo to Anchorage offers a unique opportunity to do exchanges in a cargo hub-and-spoke type of operation.
     “Anchorage has cargo transfer rights that essentially make cargo cabotage legal.
     “That means you bring your cargo into Anchorage and move it around and take advantage of the daily flight menu that includes plenty of opportunities to deliver goods to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Chicago,” to name a few cities.
     “But we also have flights into a bunch of smaller markets, including Wuhan and Cheng Xiao.
     “Recently we have added flights serving Anchorage from Mexico City and Guadalahara, extending our gateway possibilities with all the markets that we serve.
     “We are upgrading our infrastructure by adding some handling facilities and cargo stand parking positions, so we recognize the challenges and are working to meet or exceed them,” Mr. Szczesniak (pronounced sez-nee-ak) said.
     “But actually right now we are in good shape.
     “In fact our biggest challenge amongst people in transportation is that many simply do not believe our connectivity is legal.
     “It feels illegal to move air cargo like you can in Anchorage,” Jim laughs, “but it is not,” he said.

Best-Kept Secret

“At the end of the day maybe that is a best kept-secret but in 2019 I am out to tell everybody.
“Come to Anchorage and discover a whole new possibility.
“It feels so good, it must be illegal,” he smiled.
Geoffrey