Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Southwest Airlines Arrival a 'Game Changer for Fresno,' Dyer Says. Social Media Reacts.
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 4 years ago on
December 16, 2020

Share

The news quickly spread on social media after Southwest Airlines announced they would start service out of Fresno Yosemite International Airport in the spring of 2021.

“Landing Southwest Airlines is a game changer for Fresno in terms of economic development, as well as flexibility and convenience for leisure travel,” said Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer in a news release issued Wednesday morning. “I look forward to continuing our discussion with Southwest Airlines officials as destination airports are finalized.”

Clovis Mayor Drew Bessinger said Southwest Airlines representatives met with him and other community leaders in November. “They looked at a region with 1-million people and the largest airport between San Francisco and LA, and the fact that we serve the 5th largest city in the state,” Bessinger said. “They certainly wouldn’t do it if they didn’t crunch the numbers and say ‘yes’ we can make this work.”

Bessinger also serves as police chief at the Fresno airport.

Fresno City Council Member Mike Karbassi shared the news on his Facebook page. “Terrific news for our city and region. Welcome to Fresno, Southwest Airlines. Great job airport staff including Director Kevin Meikle!”

“Great news to end the 2020! Looking forward to taking @SouthwestAir flight in 2021,” tweeted City Council Member Esmeralda Soria.

“Access to all areas of the country through Southwest’s network will open up business opportunities that were unavailable to us previously,” said Lee Ann Eager, CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation. “This is exciting news that lets the world know that Fresno County is open for business and ready to “take off”.”

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly wasn’t shy when he spoke with Reuters recently about his airline’s future. The company plans to continue adding new markets to its network after announcing new destinations during the pandemic.

Wednesday morning, the airline not only announced service out of Fresno, but said it will also fly in and out of Santa Barbara Airport.

“Landing Southwest Airlines is a game changer for Fresno in terms of economic development, as well as flexibility and convenience for leisure travel.”Incoming Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer

“We salute Southwest’s bold decision to enter one of the most vibrant and beautiful regions in California, bringing visitors to our sweeping coastline to experience our mild Mediterranean climate and distinctive Spanish-influenced architecture,” said Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo. “For our residents, our partnership with Southwest will energize the economic rebound to come in 2021.”

Facebook Reaction

Dozens of people welcomed the news by replying to Facebook posts about the announcement.

The Fresno Yosemite International Airport Facebook page lit up with positive reaction.

Erika Lopez wrote, “Awesome! Congratulations FYI team! Can’t wait to travel again!”

“This is exciting news. Congratulations to the FYI team! Welcome Southwest Airlines,” wrote Lupe Perez.

Twitter Reaction

Fresno Airport Terminal Expansion

“We’re planning a terminal expansion,” Meikle recently told GV Wire℠. “It’s going to be three years because it takes two years to build it. And as the recovery continues on the path that it has been for our airport, we anticipate pulling the trigger on that one early next fall.”

Meikle says a number of additional components are included:

— A new upper level concourse in the existing terminal with dual-use passenger bridges.
— A new international arrivals facility to accommodate the growing volume of passenger arrivals.
— Expanded outbound baggage facilities.
— An expanded security checkpoint.
— Added tenant and concession spaces.

Pandemic Effects That Could Benefit Fresno

“The airlines are starting to do things that they perhaps would have never thought of doing before the pandemic,” explains Meikle.

He says the pandemic is actually providing an opportunity for airlines to rethink their route structure, rethink where they go, flight frequency, and type and size of aircraft. These include, “airlines like Southwest or like, for example, a Spirit or Sun Country or others that we talk to,” says Meikle.

Prior to COVID, Southwest was doing some planning in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Now, Meikle says the airlines are working to capitalize on how they can come out of COVID-19 better than where they were before the pandemic.

Other Airlines Making Moves

The pandemic isn’t just shifting the business model for Southwest Airlines. Other airlines are making moves at Fresno’s Airport now and likely in the immediate future, Meikle said.

For instance, Frontier Airlines has increased the frequency of its departures to Denver from Fresno.

Also, before the pandemic, Meikle said Alaska Airlines was planning on using some of their narrow bodied aircraft for their busier routes into Seattle. That thinking has now shifted and the airline is looking at using a bigger 737 to go from Fresno to Seattle.

“Now we’re hearing it’s possible sometime in 2021 we could actually see that happening,” says Meikle.

Another example is American Airlines and their Dallas route. Before the pandemic they were hovering around 3 flights a day.

“They’re up to four a day,” said Meikle.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Clovis Wants to Rein in Short-Term Rentals. Hearing Tuesday

DON'T MISS

Voters in California City Reject Measure Allowing Noncitizens to Vote in Local Races

DON'T MISS

Voters in Oakland Oust Mayor Sheng Thao Just 2 Years Into Her Term

DON'T MISS

Clovis Serves Up a Special Day for Veterans and Community

DON'T MISS

A Guide to Key Figures in Donald Trump’s Orbit

DON'T MISS

Dust Storm Knocks Out Power in Fresno Area, Causes Massive Pile-Up in Madera

DON'T MISS

Here Are the People Trump Has Picked for Key Positions So Far

DON'T MISS

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Will Spend Part of Week in DC as He Tries to Trump-Proof State Policies

DON'T MISS

Free Sandwiches in Fresno. No Strings Attached, Says Marijuana-Themed Deli.

DON'T MISS

Lakers’ Anthony Davis Sidelined by Eye Injury After Blocking Dunk Attempt

UP NEXT

When to Catch the Last Supermoon of the Year

UP NEXT

Mattel Says It ‘Deeply’ Regrets Misprint on ‘Wicked’ Dolls Packaging That Links to Porn Site

UP NEXT

4B Movement: After the Election, a Call for Women to Swear Off Men

UP NEXT

FBI Thwarts Iranian Murder-for-Hire Plan Targeting Donald Trump

UP NEXT

Wave of Racist Texts After Election Prompts FBI Scrutiny

UP NEXT

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Mexico to Curb Immigration

UP NEXT

Visalia Rollerblader Suffered Major Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Indicted for Possessing Stolen Guns

UP NEXT

On Elon Musk’s X, Dems Are an Endangered Species While GOP Goes Viral

Clovis Serves Up a Special Day for Veterans and Community

10 hours ago

A Guide to Key Figures in Donald Trump’s Orbit

10 hours ago

Dust Storm Knocks Out Power in Fresno Area, Causes Massive Pile-Up in Madera

11 hours ago

Here Are the People Trump Has Picked for Key Positions So Far

11 hours ago

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Will Spend Part of Week in DC as He Tries to Trump-Proof State Policies

11 hours ago

Free Sandwiches in Fresno. No Strings Attached, Says Marijuana-Themed Deli.

12 hours ago

Lakers’ Anthony Davis Sidelined by Eye Injury After Blocking Dunk Attempt

12 hours ago

Curry Scores 36, OKC Loses Holmgren to Hip Injury in Warriors’ Win Over Thunder

12 hours ago

Vatican, Microsoft Create AI-Generated St. Peter’s Basilica to Allow Virtual Visits, Log Damage

13 hours ago

How Many Drivers Did Fresno PD Nab in Latest DUI Checkoint?

13 hours ago

Clovis Wants to Rein in Short-Term Rentals. Hearing Tuesday

Clovis officials will decide Tuesday whether to update city code regarding short-term rentals, which some neighbors say have become troubles...

9 hours ago

9 hours ago

Clovis Wants to Rein in Short-Term Rentals. Hearing Tuesday

10 hours ago

Voters in California City Reject Measure Allowing Noncitizens to Vote in Local Races

10 hours ago

Voters in Oakland Oust Mayor Sheng Thao Just 2 Years Into Her Term

10 hours ago

Clovis Serves Up a Special Day for Veterans and Community

10 hours ago

A Guide to Key Figures in Donald Trump’s Orbit

11 hours ago

Dust Storm Knocks Out Power in Fresno Area, Causes Massive Pile-Up in Madera

11 hours ago

Here Are the People Trump Has Picked for Key Positions So Far

11 hours ago

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Will Spend Part of Week in DC as He Tries to Trump-Proof State Policies

Search

Send this to a friend