Fresno Yosemite International Airport

Celebrates 60 Years of Growth

Fresno, CA – (March 25, 2022)  Today, March 25, 2022, celebrates 60 Years of Growth at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) beginning with the dedication of Fresno’s Passenger Air Terminal and Air Traffic Control Tower on March 25,1962. As air commerce began to evolve to a new generation of air travel established a need for a futuristic air terminal designed to efficiently accommodate travelers, baggage, and cargo. In the early 1960s, 133,600 passengers traveled through the airport. Today, nearly 2 million travelers pass through the airport annually.

When its doors opened in 1962, and still part of the original design, a stunning mosaic symbolizing flight to represent earth and sky adorned the front part of the terminal. In addition, a seven story Government Agency Building housing a Federal Aviation Agency Control Tower continues to serve as a key pulse for the terminal directing flight operations then and now.

“In addition to providing a convenient airport for California’s Central Valley, the Fresno Yosemite International Airport is a powerful engine of economic opportunity generating jobs and producing major economic benefits for our growing region,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer.  “Over the years, our airport has progressed into an international air gateway, experiencing rapid growth offering more flights and more choices.”

“As the Council Vice President representing the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, I am proud of the progress our airport has made over the last 60 years and the $115 million dollar investment City Council has made to expand our airport terminal, increase and modernize our parking facilities, and build greater amenities to continue to provide a first-class facility to nearly 2 million travelers annually. Fresno Yosemite International Airport is a vital part to our City’s economy and a great source of pride to District 4,” said Council Vice President Tyler Maxwell.

“We are proud of Fresno Yosemite International Airport’s progress over 60 years to improve the passenger experience with modernized facilities and added capacity to meet growing needs,” said Director of Aviation Henry Thompson. “Today we celebrate the dedication of the original terminal which brings us to the present and paves the way for our plans for a bright future.”

From its beginnings at 43,800 square feet, the airport has experienced a timeline of expansions and improvements growing to a sizable 170,000 square foot facility.  To accommodate capacity for continued air service development, in 2002, the construction of a new two-story concourse added four passenger jet bridges. This significant milestone introduced enclosed pathways to aircraft and created opportunities for a larger fleet of aircraft to operate in the Fresno market and meet a growing demand for air service from the Valley more efficiently.  In November 2021, the airport’s first parking garage came online to accommodate more vehicles with additional parking options and covered spaces for the first time.

From its beginnings, the Fresno Air Terminal and Air Traffic Control Tower supported air service needs to connect travelers with the people and places they love, enable business travel, and welcomed visitors to the Central Valley.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport – Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is one of the Central San Joaquin Valley’s largest drivers of economic activity, with $928 million in pre-pandemic annual economic activity and 10,800 direct, induced, and indirect jobs. Domestic and international carriers serving FAT offer Valley travelers daily nonstop flights to Chicago (seasonal), Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Reno-Tahoe, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Guadalajara, León, Morelia, and Mexico City in Mexico.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Fresno Chandler Executive Airport are municipally owned entities operating as a self-supporting enterprise.               

Like us on facebook.com/FresnoYosemiteInternational or follow us on Twitter @FresnoAirport and Instagram @iFlyFresno.

# # #