Anchorage airport expects surge in travel over Memorial Day weekend

After a year of historically low travel numbers during the pandemic, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is preparing for the first of many busy weekends as Memorial Day approaches.

From Friday until Monday, the airport is expecting to see nearly 30,000 people passing through the security checkpoints. Air travel has increased in recent months as COVID-19 vaccinations grew more accessible and many pandemic-related restrictions eased.

“Pretty much after this point, it’s going to be busy weekends for the remainder of the summer,” airport manager Jim Szczesniak said Wednesday.

The number of travelers for this April were up nearly 500% when compared to those from 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, Szczesniak said. Now, airport officials are preparing for summer passenger numbers approaching pre-pandemic levels.

“What we’re concentrating on right now is getting the facilities up to meet the crowds that we’re going to see,” Szczesniak said. Several restaurants inside the airport closed for part of the pandemic but have recently reopened.

[Air passengers warned to wear masks and behave as travel ramps up for Memorial Day]

The airport has continued to make adjustments throughout the pandemic to accommodate safety, he said. During the summer, outside air is pumped into the building’s ventilation systems.

“The air in the terminals is pretty close to outdoor air,” Szczesniak said.

While Anchorage’s citywide mask mandate has been lifted, masks are still required in the airport. Federal law requires masks on airplanes and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended mask use on all public transit, regardless of vaccination status.

“Generally, if you’re going to be on airport property, you’re going to be wearing a mask,” Szczesniak said.

The Homeland Security secretary warned last week that airline and government officials will not tolerate passengers who refuse to wear a mask. The Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration both have the authority to fine passengers in violation of mask laws.

Szczesniak said enforcement has not been much of an issue at the Anchorage airport.

On Wednesday, as Cherie Biddle walked to the security checkpoint in the airport, she said she felt comforted that most of the people she saw inside the building had been wearing a mask. Biddle was flying home to Kodiak on Wednesday after visiting Anchorage for medical reasons.

She anticipated the airport would be busy because of recent good weather and the three-day weekend. Still, things seemed much quieter than before the pandemic, she said.

Last year was a terrible year for travel and tourism industries, Szczesniak said, and from this point on, things can only get better.

“For me, it’s very encouraging because I know that it’s good for these employees that are working here and I know that it’s good for the Alaska tourism industry,” he said. “A vibrant and healthy airport is good for everybody.”