Airports support peak flower season with special projects and infrastructure

#3: Anchorage (ANC) plants peony test beds 

Taking advantage of Anchorage Airport’s (ANC) northern geographic location, airport authorities have initiated a project to test the viability of farming flowers at the airport. The airport aims to provide fresh flowers during their peak season that may not be otherwise available elsewhere, while keeping freighters leaving the airport full. 

The airport planted peony seeds on a 400 square foot plot of land south of the airfield last autumn, which are now just beginning to bloom. Given the close proximity of the test beds to the airport, peonies can be clipped directly at the airport before being sent off on a plane to consumers domestically or internationally. ANC Airport Manager Jim Szczesniak told Cargo Airport News that the airport has 20 to 40 acres of land also south of the airfield available for farming should the project prove successful. Airport authorities will review and determine future plans for the project at the end of this or next summer.  

“Peony flowers are very popular during spring and wedding season, but often are not available because they bloom earlier in the year,” Szczesniak said. Alaska, however, has a later blooming season, which means that when these flowers bloom in Alaska they can be sent out during the peak of wedding season.  

Szczesniak also said that the project is intended to further support airport authorities’ aims to ensure that freighters leaving the airport are full and fees for airport stakeholders are kept low, but did not provide further details on the matter. 

The flower test bed project will be supported by the freight forwarders’ refrigerated warehouses at the airport, as well as ANC’s upcoming construction of its new “Quick Cargo Center” building that is expected to include cool-chain facilities.