Fresno, CA - On Saturday, October 5, 2019, Fresno Yosemite International Airport will host its third Wings for Autism® program sponsored by The Arc of the United States, in partnership with The Arc Fresno/Madera Counties, Alaska Airlines, HMSHost, HP, Hudson Group, SkyWest Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The Wings for Autism® program provides individuals with autism or other intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families the opportunity to prepare for air travel in a real-life airport environment.
Forty-six families from California’s Central Valley will participate with this year’s Wings for Autism® event. The Wings for Autism® full airport rehearsal at Fresno Yosemite International Airport has received such great interest from the community and surrounding region that registration reached capacity within four days of opening the online enrollment site.
“Fresno Yosemite International Airport is grateful to all of the partners for contributing their time, resources, kindness and a SkyWest Airlines regional jet so that every family has the opportunity to vacation or visit with friends and relatives," said Director of Aviation Kevin Meikle. “Now in its third year, nearly 140 families from our community and the region have benefited from the Wings for Autism® program and we look forward to introducing this year’s participants to the air travel environment in an encouraging and engaging manner.”
Families will begin to arrive on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. for airline check-in with Alaska Airlines. After receiving their boarding passes, the group will proceed through TSA security screening and then to the gate area where Alaska Airlines will announce a simulated flight departure to begin the aircraft boarding process.
Onboard the SkyWest Airlines regional jet, families will experience aircraft movement as the plane leaves the gate to taxi the airfield. A second full airport rehearsal will take place at 12:30 p.m. At the conclusion, participants will receive a gift bag filled with keepsakes donated by the program partners and a number of community organizations. Participants will also receive a social storybook printed by HP to personalize their Wings for Autism® experience.
Throughout the day, HMSHost will keep event volunteers recharged with snacks and Starbucks® Coffee served at the Home Team Sports restaurant.
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.