Signature Aviation Announces Grand Opening of Newly Renovated Facility in Anchorage, Alaska
May 11, 2023 - Signature Aviation, the world’s largest private aviation terminal operator, celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated facility at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on May 9.
This expansion of customized services for transpacific and great circle route traffic marks a significant milestone for the company’s offerings and many private aircraft operators that choose to stop over in Anchorage, making Signature the only FBO with a dedicated facility specifically for international traffic in the state of Alaska. The newly renovated terminal, built within the former Kulis Alaska Air National Guard facility, features a 13,900 square foot passenger terminal and an accompanying 90,000 square foot ramp.
The development represents a major step towards the vision articulated by the Anchorage Int’l Airport and State of Alaska in redeveloping the former Air National Guard base, adding momentum to the Airport’s role as a driver of economic growth and jobs in the Anchorage region. The upgraded facility includes several unique features desired by long-distance operators, including a US Customs and Border Protection station opening soon, which is directly within the FBO. This should allow US-inbound traffic to clear customs rapidly, before being able to continue onto any destination in the United States. Additional amenities include the large, private-use aircraft ramp thatis capable of supporting up to transport category aircraft, a complimentary snack bar, and a large executive conference room.
“Signature’s Kulis terminal for private aviation is helping restate the important of Anchorage as a both a global crossroads and a destination for private aviation,” shared Geoff Heck, senior vice president of global operations for Signature Aviation. “There is simply no better, faster, or more reliable tech stop option available to operators that frequently find themselves travelling between Asia and the United States than that provided by Signature Anchorage.”
Signature’s Anchorage location is perfectly positioned on great circle routes from Asia and Oceana to the US, as well as being advantageously located on many great circle routes for European traffic flying direct routes to the US West Coast. Additionally, Anchorage International Airport features 24/7 staffing and no curfew, suiting it to any operator’s schedule, and offers one of the most impressive and efficient airport-administered snow removal programs worldwide – the airport has never closed due to inclement weather. Anchorage’s extensive airline connections to the lower-48 makes it the most well-connected airport in Alaska, in turn letting operators preposition flight crews to allow crew rest rotations.
Signature Anchorage has the ability to perform technical stops as quick as 60 minutes, simultaneously allowing for aircraft to be refueled and letting passengers and crew clear of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The grand opening celebration of the newly renovated facility included a day of facility tours, staff meet and greets, and a ribbon cutting ceremony that included a blessing of the building and traditional native performances. The performance encompassed Eskimo Yupik dancing that has been a fixture in the culture and values of the community for thousands of years. Attendees included vendors, business partners, Alaska aviation executives, federal authorities, and the mayor, many of whom have been instrumental in the development of the facility.
