Fresno Yosemite International Airport Reaches All-Time Record With Over 2 Million Passengers Served in 2022

Historic year with a 12% increase generated by added flights and seat capacity

Fresno, CA – Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) today announced historic passenger volume of over 2.1 million passengers served in Calendar Year 2022. This represents a 12% increase over Calendar Year 2021, which served 1.94 million passengers and the highest volume since 2019 when 1.96 million passengers flew through FAT.

In terms of passenger growth, FAT passenger traffic in 2022 increased at a rate of 122% compared to the nationwide average of 99%. This rate of growth ranked FAT fourth in United States Pacific Region and thirteenth nationwide. Comparing 2019 to 2022, FAT grew 110% versus the nationwide average of 91% finishing fourth in the Pacific Region and improving to twelfth nationwide.

“I am extremely proud to have one of the fastest growing airports in the nation,” said City of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. “As our airport grows, so does our economy. I am also extremely pleased with progress that is being made with our terminal expansion that will triple our international capacity. Great cities have great airports, and we are well on our way to having a great airport.”

In the last reported 12 months, FAT’s domestic airline load factor was 83%, with four of the previous six months above 88%.  Load factors are at their highest point since 2015, when passenger load factors exceeded 86%. This makes the last twelve months the second-highest annualized load factors since 1990.  FAT’s international market to the Mexico region continues to exceed prior years with an increase of approximately 20% in 2022 compared to year 2021. In addition to strong load factors by FAT airlines in 2022, the airport ranked third in North American airports for airline on-time performance.

“Fresno Yosemite International Airport continues to be a top performing airport in recovery and passenger growth spurred by our partner airlines meeting the air service demand for Central Valley travelers,” said Director of Aviation Henry Thompson. “With more travelers using FAT and choosing their hometown airport, Fresno is able to present a strong case to airline planners about expanded air service opportunities in our market.” 

Aircraft upgauge at FAT has increased over the last few years with the average aircraft size up 26% since 2019 resulting in the number of passengers departing per flight being significantly higher.

Cargo transported through FAT in 2022 totaled more than 30 million pounds, 6.5% higher than in 2019 when almost 29 million pounds moved through the airport.

2023 Air Service Preview

Added capacity through FAT planned later this year include:

• Increased frequency to Dallas Fort Worth on American Airlines to four daily flights from three starting in February with an upgauge to the larger A321 aircraft on one flight in April. Future upgauging will continue as demand warrants and more larger aircraft become available.
• Increased frequency to Las Vegas on Southwest to four daily flights to three starting in July and representing a 25% increase in capacity.
• Anticipated return of daily United Airlines seasonal service to Chicago this spring.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport - Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is one of the largest drivers in economic activity in the Central San Joaquin Valley with $928 million pre-pandemic of annual economic activity and 10,800 direct, induced and indirect jobs. Domestic and international carriers serving FAT offer Valley travelers daily nonstop flights to Chicago (Seasonal), Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Guadalajara, León, and Morelia in Mexico.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Fresno Chandler Executive Airport are municipally owned entities operating as a self-supporting enterprise.       

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