Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Airline Partners Prepare for Busy Spring and Summer Travel

Fresno, CA – Domestic and international carriers serving Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) plan to accommodate a busy 2019 spring and summer by increasing flight frequencies and transitioning to  larger aircraft.  Travelers flying for business, a family vacation or special occasion will have more destinations and increased flight schedules to choose from in the upcoming months with some services extending through the end of the year.

“Last summer, FAT experienced a 21 percent increase in passenger traffic during the July – September travel period,” said Director of Aviation Kevin Meikle.   “As passenger volume continues to grow at a record pace, the FATforward terminal and parking expansion program will be essential for continuing to provide convenient and efficient facilities for the traveling public and our airline partners as the demands of California’s Central Valley grow.”

As a result of strong performance in the Fresno market last summer, United Airlines will return daily nonstop flights between FAT and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) beginning March 31 and extending the service through the summer to early December. The major route, operated with mainline service on the Airbus A319 aircraft, offers seamless air access from the Central Valley to the Midwest with convenient connections to the East Coast and beyond.

Expanded flights and destinations or connections to anywhere in the world for travelers flying FAT now and through the summer include:

• AeroMexico increased frequency to Guadalajara, Mexico from five weekly flights to daily service
• American Airlines added third daily departure to Dallas Forth-Worth
• Mid-day Phoenix departure operated with American Airlines mainline service on the larger Airbus A319 aircraft
• Continued daily service to the Guadalajara, Mexico  on Volaris with the addition of twice daily departures Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Salt Lake City service on Delta permanent transition to the larger CRJ900 aircraft with more seat capacity

Additional flight options from FAT to other nonstop cities or to connect to destinations beyond include:

• Allegiant to Las Vegas
• Alaska Airlines to Portland, San Diego and Seattle
• Frontier Airlines to Denver
• United Airlines to Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco
• Volaris to Morelia, Mexico

Initiatives to accommodate FAT’s continued growth trend include the completion of a new passenger boarding bridge and remodeled Gate 6/8 as well as the planned construction of a new surface parking lot.  The remodeled gate provides an expanded seating area, charging outlets and dynamic signage in an open space setting complemented by a new passenger bridge for quick and easy boarding. Construction on a new lot is underway offering more long term space to meet peak and growing parking capacity needs.  The new surface lot is expected to open timely with the upcoming summer travel season.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport – Fresno Yosemite International Airport currently offers Valley passengers daily nonstop flights to Chicago (Seasonal – Returns March 31, 2019), Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Guadalajara and Morelia, Mexico on domestic and international carriers.  Fresno Yosemite International Airport is a municipally owned entity operating as a self-supporting enterprise. No City of Fresno general funds are used to operate Fresno Yosemite International Airport or Fresno Chandler Executive Airport.

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