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ALASKA SALMON EXPORTS BIG BUSINESS THANKS TO AIR CARGO
Each year, Alaska Air Cargo delivers shipments of Copper River salmon from Alaska to seafood processors in Seattle and restaurants across the United States. “We’re proud to be the first to bring wild and sustainable Copper River salmon to seafood lovers across the country, in many cases within 24 hours after the fish is caught,” said Betsy Bacon, managing director of Alaska Air Cargo. “With so much demand for sustainable wild Alaska seafood, airline crews in South-Central and Southeast Alaska will kick into high gear to ship a million kilograms of salmon across our 95-city network.” Copper River salmon shipped by air this season will arrive as fresh as possible to grocery stores and restaurants across the nation, thanks in part to a cool chain training programme required of all Alaska Air employees who handle perishables. Alaska Air Cargo employees are required to adhere to strict seafood quality standards and pass an annual food quality course. Seafood processors and shippers follow these cool-chain standards to provide a temperature-controlled environment for proper food handling. The goal is to keep seafood moving rapidly throughout its journey on Alaska Airlines and maintain a consistent temperature range from the time it leaves the water to when it arrives at shops and restaurants. Alaska Airlines plays a significant role in supporting the Alaska seafood industry, which is recognised worldwide for its sustainable fishing practices. The carrier flew nearly 9,000 tonnes of fresh Alaska seafood to the continental United States and beyond last year, including nearly half a million kilograms of Copper River salmon. Copper River salmon alone bring $20 million in direct economic benefit