Condor Returns to Fairbanks

for 20th Anniversary; FAI Sees Growth Over 2021

After two years of no service, Condor Air returned to Fairbanks in June with its weekly summer flights to Frankfurt. The return marked the 20th anniversary of the service. Additionally, summer 2022 saw the return of United Airlines (direct to Chicago) and Delta Air Lines (direct to Minneapolis). For the year, combined arrivals and departures were up by 15% over 2021 and down by only 11% from 2019. The winter months (Jan to April/Oct to Dec) accounted for most of the the growth with a 37% increase over 2021.

Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center Visitation Numbers Skyrocket Over 2021

Explore Fairbanks Visitor Services staff greeted and provided customer service to 98,333 visitors at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, an increase of 64% in visitation compared to 2021. Like 2021, many visitors were arriving with little to no planning on what to see and do while in Fairbanks and required much more assistance than in years past. Visitor Services staff also answered more phone calls and emails monthly than they did pre-COVID, demonstrating that our organization is seen as the respected authority in sharing information about our destination.

Explore Fairbanks Produces New Aurora Viewing Map & Guide

To continue positioning Fairbanks as the premier aurora destination in the world, Explore Fairbanks produced the brand-new Aurora Viewing Map & Guide. The guide is intended to help demystify aurora chasing in the Fairbanks area by providing helpful tips and an easy-to-read map featuring aurora viewing locations.

Fairbanks Hosts SATW Western Chapter Conference

In February, Explore Fairbanks hosted the Society of American Travel Writers Western Chapter Meeting. The conference was attended by 45 visiting travel writers, associate members and guests for a four-day trip in the Fairbanks area that included visits to local museums, North Pole, Chena Hot Springs as well as activities including aurora viewing, dog mushing and walking with reindeer. Pre- and post-meeting trips were also offered that included trips above the Arctic Circle, to Denali and to Delta Junction. Fairbanks received extensive media coverage in a variety of outlets as a result of the conference.