Aviation alone contributes roughly $3.8 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports around 35,000 jobs, making it a critical economic engine as well as a social lifeline. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), ranked as the world’s fourth-busiest cargo airport, handles thousands of cargo flights each month between Asia and North America, highlighting Alaska’s strategic importance in global logistics.
Maritime shipping is equally vital, moving approximately 90% of all goods consumed in Alaska. Alaska’s ports, including the Port of Alaska in Anchorage, facilitate an estimated $14 billion in statewide economic activity. The Alaska Marine Highway System, with over 3,100 miles of routes, carries hundreds of thousands of passengers and vehicles annually, linking coastal communities for tourism, commerce and business development.
The transportation sector also benefits from significant public investment: federal infrastructure funding has recently brought in $3.5 billion for highways, $225 million for bridges, and over $250 million for port upgrades. These projects not only modernize existing facilities but also position Alaska to capture growing trade opportunities as Arctic shipping lanes open.