Fresno Yosemite International Airport Shares Winter Holiday Travel Tips and Added Airline Seat Capacity for the Season

Fresno, CA – Airports across the country, including Fresno Yosemite International Airport, are anticipating increased passenger activity during the 2017 winter holiday travel period.  Airline trade organization Airlines for America projects passenger volumes on U.S. airlines will exceed 2016 winter holiday travel by 3.5 percent during the 21-day travel period beginning today, Friday, December 15 through Thursday, January 4, 2018.

Domestic and international carriers based at Fresno Yosemite International Airport plan to meet the peak season demand by increasing flight frequencies and seat capacity.  The airlines expect strong passenger bookings through the peak travel period and have increased flights to accommodate travelers during December and into January 2018.

United Airlines will operate a fourth daily departure from Fresno to the Denver market.  American Airlines added seat capacity to Phoenix by transitioning from a regional jet to the larger Airbus 319 aircraft on its mid-afternoon flight as well as increased service to Dallas with a third daily departure. New year-round service to Morelia, Mexico operated by Volaris begins Saturday, December 16.  The airline also increased its schedule between Fresno and Guadalajara, Mexico to two daily flights on selected days into January 2018.  To further accommodate winter holiday travelers to the Mexico region, AeroMexico will operate daily Guadalajara service into January 2018.

With the expected high volume of travelers, passengers are strongly encouraged to arrive at the airport up to three hours prior to international flights and up to two hours prior to domestic flights.  TSA Pre✓^® for expedited security screening is available at Fresno Yosemite International Airport.  Travelers interested in enrolling in the TSA Pre✓^® program may complete an online application process at www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck or schedule an appointment with the local enrollment center by calling 855-347-8371.

In preparation for the busy winter holiday travel period, Fresno Yosemite International Airport offers travelers these helpful tips to simplify the travel process.

• Consider peak early morning and late night departures at Fresno Yosemite International Airport may extend security screening wait times.
• Remember airline ticket counters close for passenger check-in as early as 45 minutes prior to domestic flight departures and 60 minutes prior to international flight departures.
• Check with your airline on flight status prior to leaving for the airport.  Convenient flight status links are available on most airline websites and mobile apps or passengers may telephone the airline for flight status information.
• Review your airline’s website for travel policies, baggage limitations and fees, customer service plans and automated flight alert notifications to cell phones or mobile devices.
• Travel with a current government-issued ID and have your boarding pass out and ready.
• Familiarize yourself with the TSA list related to permitted and prohibited items at www.TSA.gov or tweet your questions about items to @AskTSA.
• Remember the 3-1-1 rule for traveling with liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on baggage:

• • 3-ounce bottles or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols;
  • 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic zip-top bag; and
  • 1 bag per passenger placed separately in a security bin for X-ray screening.
• Wrapped gifts are allowed, yet might have to be unwrapped if the gift needs to be inspected.
• Snow globes need to comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule if packed in carry-on baggage. Larger snow globes should be packed in checked baggage.
• Fruitcake, cookies or other holiday treats are allowed. Solid food items (i.e.: ham, turkey, cake, pie, cookies) can be packed in carry-on baggage.  Spreadable or pourable food items must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule to travel in a carry-on baggage.
• Remove liquids and electronic devices from your carry-on baggage for security screening.
• A private Mothers Room is centrally located post-security screening along the passageway to the airline boarding gates.
• The Service Animal Relief Area is centrally located post-security screening.  Please check with your airline representative for assistance with accessing the area.
• Remember the white curb in front of the terminal is for passenger drop-off and pick-up only.  The expanded “FREE” Cell Phone Waiting Area is available for motorists waiting for arriving passengers.  The area is located slightly past the airport entrance on the right side of the roadway just before the curve and is marked with blue signage. For airport parking information and rates, contact Standard Parking at 559-252-0052.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations are located in the short-term and long-term public parking lots.
• Lyft rideshare curbside pick-up is located between the front of the terminal and baggage claim.

Remain vigilant.  If You See Something, Say Something. Report all suspicious activities or items to airport security personnel.

 Safety and security are top priorities for all airport personnel. Passengers can help ensure a smooth security process by following the TSA’s security procedures available at www.TSA.gov or by reaching out to the AskTSA team via Twitter at @AskTSA.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport currently offers Valley passengers daily nonstop flights to 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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