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Stamp Collecting on the Last Frontier |
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Anchorage Philatelic Society |
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50th Anniversary of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Honoring the 50th anniversary of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and the 100th anniversary of powered flight Cachet by Byron Birdsall |
Product Summary |
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Please send payment and a legal size SASE to:
Anchorage Philatelic Society P.O. Box 10-2214 Anchorage, AK 99510 |
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Price: $2.00 |
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On October 17, 1953, Anchorage held the dedication of it’s International Airport. The 80th Congress had approved $13 million to fund two ‘international type” airports in Alaska on May 28, 1948. One was to be built in Anchorage and the other in Fairbanks. Construction began with both an East/West and a North/South runway being built, and airfield operations actually began in December 1951.
In the late 50’s International Transpacific and Europe/Asia “over the pole” commercial air traffic began to transit Anchorage, and in 1957 Scandinavian Air began the first over the pole commercial passenger flights to Anchorage. In 1960 the original East/West runway was extended from 8,400 to 10,600 feet. Then, the 1964 earthquake caused great damage to both the airport and the surrounding areas.
During the 1970’s international passenger traffic increased significantly, and in the early 80’s, the new international terminal was constructed. During the late 80’s and early 90’s, international passage traffic declined greatly due to the advent of long range aircraft and the opening of Russian airspace. However, during this same time period. both FedEx and UPS established major transpacific sorting hubs in Anchorage. This required the extension of the North/South runway.
In 1999 construction began on the Terminal Redevelopment Project, a $230 Million project to renovate and greatly expand the South Terminal, and to improve road access and parking lots. It was completed in 2005.
The airport was renamed “Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, in 2000, in honor of senior United States Senator, Ted Stevens. |
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To contact us: |
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Contact:
Eric Knapp Phone: 907-563-4210 E-mail: eknapp@gci.net |
