Fresno's Dual Airport System: An Efficient Travel Hub

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the primary airport in Fresno, California. It is jointly operated by the military and the public and is the main commercial airport for the San Joaquin Valley and three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. The airport offers nonstop flights to major cities in the United States and international flights to Mexico. In addition to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, there is also the Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, a reliever airport located 1.5 miles west of downtown Fresno.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport

The airport is owned and operated by the city of Fresno and serves as a joint military-public facility. It spans across 1,728 acres of land, featuring two asphalt runways. Fresno Yosemite International Airport is also the primary commercial airport for the San Joaquin Valley and three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. The airport is currently undergoing a significant expansion project to enhance its facilities, including the addition of new gates and the construction of a new international arrivals facility.

Passengers travelling through Fresno Yosemite International Airport can enjoy various amenities and conveniences. The airport boasts public art exhibits, including the iconic giant Sequoia installation, that captivate travellers. For those who arrive early, there are dining options such as the John Muir Tavern, Home Team Sports Bar & Grill, and Starbucks. Ground transportation services, including car rentals, are readily available at the airport for a seamless transition to your destination.

The history of Fresno Yosemite International Airport dates back to World War II. It opened as Hammer Field, a military airfield, in June 1942, just six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war, the city of Fresno converted it into a commercial airport, and it was renamed Fresno Air Terminal (FAT) in 1948. The airport has since undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing passenger traffic. In 1996, the airport was renamed Fresno Yosemite International Airport to attract out-of-state and international visitors to the region's national parks.

The airport's history

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the primary airport serving Fresno, California. It is located about eight miles from the city centre. The airport is jointly operated by the military and the public, serving as the main commercial airport for the San Joaquin Valley and three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon.

The airport was established in June 1942 as Hammer Field, a military airfield opened just six months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to the United States' entry into World War II. Hammer Field was used as a training facility for new pilots of the Fourth Air Force and featured a single northwest/southeast runway. In 1944, night fighter training was moved to Hammer Field, initially with the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group, later replaced by the 319th Wing.

After World War II, Hammer Field was inactivated, and the city of Fresno acquired the site for conversion into a commercial airport, replacing the smaller Chandler Field, which had served as Fresno's civil and commercial aviation airport since 1929. In 1946, the War Assets Administration transferred the property to the city, and construction of a passenger terminal began immediately. The new Fresno Air Terminal (FAT) opened in 1948, with flights to San Francisco/Oakland and Los Angeles operated by Trans World Airlines (TWA) and United Airlines.

In the 1950s, the California Air National Guard moved to the airport, establishing the Fresno Air National Guard Base. A second parallel runway was constructed and opened to traffic in 1956. A new, larger passenger terminal was built in 1959, featuring a baggage claim area, a central lobby, and a ticketing area. This terminal remains in use today, having undergone renovations over the years.

In 1996, the airport was renamed Fresno Yosemite International Airport to attract out-of-state and international visitors to Yosemite National Park. The first international service began in April 2006, with flights to Mexico City via Guadalajara operated by Mexicana. Today, the airport offers nonstop flights to major cities across the United States and international service to Mexico.

Military and government operations

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is a joint military-public airport in Fresno, California. It is the primary commercial airport for the San Joaquin Valley and three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. The airport is owned and operated by the city of Fresno and has two runways, spanning 1,728 acres.

The airport has a rich history, opening in June 1942 as Hammer Field, a military airfield used by the United States Army Air Forces for training new pilots. After World War II, Hammer Field was converted for civil use, and in 1948, the newly renamed Fresno Air Terminal (FAT) opened, offering commercial flights to San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles.

Today, the airport continues to have a significant military and government presence. The Fresno Air National Guard Base, located on the southeast corner of the airport, is home to the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard. The California Army National Guard also has an Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) at the airport, performing high-level maintenance and repair of Army aircraft for a 15-state region in the Western United States.

The Fresno Air Attack Base on the eastern side of the airport supports aerial firefighting aircraft. It is jointly operated by the United States Forest Service, Sierra National Forest, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). This base plays a crucial role in fighting forest fires, with a command centre and four loading pits for pumping fire retardant into aircraft, capable of loading up to 300,000 gallons daily.

Other government and military operators with a presence at the airport include the California Highway Patrol, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, and the Fresno Police Department. The airport's convenient central location within the state makes it an ideal hub for these operations.

Airlines and destinations

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the primary airport serving Fresno, California. It offers scheduled passenger flights to several major airline hubs in the United States and international services to Mexico. The airport is a joint civil-military facility and is owned and operated by the City of Fresno.

Domestic Destinations

The airport offers nonstop flights to several major US cities, including:

• Atlanta
• Burbank
• Chicago
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Denver
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles
• Oakland
• Ontario
• Phoenix
• Portland
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• Santa Maria
• Seattle/Tacoma
• Visalia

International Destinations

Fresno Yosemite International Airport also provides nonstop international services to destinations in Mexico:

• Guadalajara
• León/El Bajío
• Morelia

The airport has seen significant growth in passenger traffic, with 2.1 million passengers in 2022, an 11% increase from the previous year. This growth has led to expansion projects, including the addition of new gates and the construction of a new international arrivals facility.

Airport transport

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the primary airport serving Fresno, California. It is located 8 miles from the city centre and offers nonstop flights to major cities across the United States, as well as international services to Mexico. The airport is easily accessible by various transport options.

Car

The airport is located about one mile north of California State Route 180, with Peach Avenue connecting the airport to the highway. Route 180 connects to other major highways in the Fresno area, including California State Route 41, California State Route 99, and California State Route 168.

Public Transportation

The Fresno Area Express (FAX) provides two public transit bus routes to the airport: Route 26 Palm/Butler and Route 39 FYI/Clinton. Route 26 connects the airport to North Fresno via Southeast and Downtown Fresno, where passengers can transfer to other FAX routes. Route 39 runs between the airport and West Fresno.

Rental Cars

The airport offers a consolidated rental car facility, with nine rental car companies providing services. These companies have counters inside the terminal near the baggage claim area, and a large lot just west of the terminal can accommodate up to 400 cars.

Bicycle

For those who prefer to cycle, the airport provides covered bicycle parking racks inside the parking garage south of the terminal. Additionally, nearby roads like East Clinton Way and East McKinley Avenue have dedicated bike lanes.

In addition to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, there is also the Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, located about 7 miles from the city centre. However, this airport appears to be smaller and primarily serves local or private aviation.

Frequently asked questions