Update on Fresno airport expansion. Here's breakdown of big renovation projects
There are big plans for the future of Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
Some projects already are in the works and others still in the planning stages.
It's all part of the FATForward program — a multi-year expansion plan to update the airport in phases due to the increasing growth of passengers flying into and out of the biggest airport between the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Last year, a record 2.7 million travelers passed through Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
'Way back when we were planning, we saw growth in our future and we knew we needed to execute this project,' said Henry Thompson, Director of Aviation at the Fresno airport. 'It's the largest project in airport history.
'These improvements are going to bring more modernization to the airport and increase the efficiency. You'll no longer need to go north or south to travel. You'll be able to fly to just about anywhere in the world with just one connection.'
The FATForward project, which is being funded through a combination of federal infrastructure grants, passenger facility charges, and airport revenue bonds, was launched in September 2020 with the groundbreaking of the four-level parking garage.
Here's a breakdown of Fresno Yosemite International Airport projects.
Terminal expansion project: Started in May 2023 and expected to be ready in November at a price tag of $150 million.
It will add a 100,000-square-foot terminal wing to accommodate two more aircraft gates, as well as new concessions and expansion of airport facilities for various other needs. There currently are 10 gates.
The airport announced Tuesday that construction began for the future home of Ike's Sandwiches.
TSA (Transportation Security Administration) screening also is expected to become smoother and help reduce wait times.
In addition, the project looks to beautify the Fresno airport with murals and various arts.
'From the minute you go through the screening process, you'll notice much larger, brighter, modern features,' Thompson said. 'You'll feel the difference.'
Late last month, the airport celebrated a major construction milestone by unveiling an expanded security checkpoint and new artwork.
The additions represented the 'first new expansion phase' completed as part of the FATForward terminal expansion project.
Runway resurfacing: After the terminal expansion project is completed, the Fresno airport will move on to upgrading its primary runway (there are two at FAT).
Work is expected to begin in January 2026 with completion in roughly two years. The price tag is $105 million.
The plan is to tear out the existing 9,000-foot runway made of asphalt and replace it with a 9,000-foot runway made of concrete.
There are no plans to lengthen the runway, Thompson added.
While runway construction is being done, planes will use the secondary runway that's 8,000-feet long and located to the side of the primary runway.
'There's been no major works on the runway for 20 years,' Thompson said. 'The current runway is at the near of its life and becoming more difficult to maintain with our increased traffic.
'The runway upgrade is well overdue.'
Airport tower replacement: The control tower will be renovated to modernize the area used to direct aircraft and vehicles to ensure safety and efficiency. The project is scheduled to start in January 2027 with completion date to be determined. The cost is roughly $100 million.
After these three projects are completed, the airport will begin working on its longer-term projects to expand potential parking, hangars, maintenance facilities.
That land for growth in the long term currently is used by the 144th Fighter Wing, a unit of the California Air National Guard that's at the neighboring Fresno Air National Guard Base.
The 144th Wing, which would like to expand itself, will be relocated at nearby Airways Municipal Golf Course.
Airways, which was built in 1952, is regularly used for golfing.
But since the golf course is owned by the city and is located on lands long designated for airport development, Airways will eventually become a causality to airport expansion.
When Airways permanently closes is not known. But the golf course lease is set to expire in April 2027.
'The airport is not increasing its footprint,' Thompson said. 'But the usage of those acres is what's changing.'
Fresno airport adds direct flights to popular destination. Here's where and when
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