The Airport’s economic impact: The sky’s the limit

It sprawls across 2,300 acres and has a distinctive skyline. Yet despite its size and profile, it’s often called Fresno’s best-kept secret. It’s Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FYI) — the Valley’s air-transportation hub, a proven economic engine and major employer operated by the City of Fresno.

FYI has grown significantly in recent years, making gains in safety, security, service and amenities. Russ Widmar, the city’s director of aviation, came to FYI in 2004 with a mandate to revitalize the airport.

“I am on a crusade to raise the profile of the airport, and I think we are doing it,” Widmar said.

With more improvements and growth on the radar screen, FYI is poised to continue making a positive impact on the local economy.

Renovations taking off

A terminal renovation plan seeks to meet the needs of the Fresno area for the next 20 years and enhance all aspects of the terminal experience.

Plans include doubling the baggage-claim area; quadrupling the security checkpoint area; and the addition of more open architecture, indirect lighting and native materials. A Starbucks Coffee is also planned.

A new 19-acre rental-car facility will double the size of the current facility. And a remodeled ticket counter lobby will enable any airline to use any available location for ticket sales.

“We want to grow passenger travel 50% in the next 10 years, and we’re already ahead of the game,” Widmar said, noting that airport traffic has increased 14% in the past two years.

Additional growth is expected from Mexicana Airlines arrival at FYI. Initially, Mexicana is proposing five flights per week to Guadalajara, serving approximately 24,000 new passengers per year. As demand increases, the airline is expected to add flights to coastal resort markets as well.

Sky-high economic impact

“We are an economic engine for the community and this proves it,” Widmar said about the recent FYI Economic Impact Report. That engine is fueled by a steadily increasing passenger count and a rise in corporate aviation since 2001. While the national average is approximately 3%, FYI’s passenger count has grown by more than four-times that figure, peaking at 15% in December 2005.

Widmar attributes this growth to three factors: the influx of new residents drawn to the Fresno area by the low cost of living, rising fuel prices that make it less advantageous for travelers to drive three to four hours outside the region, and the arrival of low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines. And starting in spring 2006, international air service begins as Mexicana offers international service to Guadalajara.

The FYI economic impact

To define the economic impact that FYI has on the region, a study was conducted by the respected aviation-industry consultant Campbell-Hill Aviation of Virginia, Inc. With collaboration from students and faculty from Fresno State, the value of FYI was measured for the first time.

For more information, please visit: www.flyfresno.org