Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Southwest's Low Fresno Fares Could Put Pressure on Other Airlines, says Airport Director
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 4 years ago on
January 21, 2021

Share

Southwest Airlines customers will be able to fly on non-stop flights to both Las Vegas and Denver from Fresno beginning April 25, company officials announced Thursday.

There will be 3 daily flights to Las Vegas, with one-way fares starting at $39. Southwest will also offer one daily flight to Denver, with a one-way fare as low as $69.

“I do think it’ll be a positive impact on the competition, on the fares,” said Kevin Meikle, aviation director at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, in a Zoom meeting with reporters. “I think these flights are going to be full going out every day.”

“I do think it’ll be a positive impact on the competition, on the fares.”– Kevin Meikle, Fresno Yosemite Airport aviation director 

GV Wire℠ compared Southwest’s fares to Allegiant and Frontier airlines. Both carriers currently fly direct to Las Vegas and Denver from Fresno.

Allegiant flights to Las Vegas are priced at $97, one way, at about the same time Southwest will begin its service. Frontier flights to Denver start at $86. Neither airline offers daily service, however.

“It remains to be seen how the airlines will react. But I think I think they’re going to react positively,” says Meikle. “I think we’re going to see great fares and who knows, maybe we’ll see some other movement with other airlines that will further enhance the the the offerings out of our airport.”

Other Possible Destinations

The word “initial” flight schedules was featured prominently in Southwest Airlines’ press release about the Las Vegas and Denver routes.

“I think moving forward, we will see more opportunities,” says Meikle. “We have had discussions specifically about Hawaii and other destinations as well.”

Meikle points to Miami as a good example. Southwest just began service there in September of last year and they’re already exploring other destinations.

“They’re constantly evaluating where best to put their aircraft,” says Meikle. “We fully expect them to continue to to grow the market, whether that’s in another month or two or six months or ongoing, we don’t know. But we do know that that that’s going to happen.”

Attracting Travelers to Fresno

“I know that that our airport has a marketing budget and we’re going to maximize the use of that marketing budget so that we can encourage people to to fly Fresno.” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer

“This is going to create more opportunities for people to fly to Fresno to to take advantage of our surrounding area,” says Dyer. “Whether you’re going to Yosemite or Kings Canyon National Park or the Sequoias or you’re just going to come in here to enjoy our world class zoo and some of the other things that we have here, the underground garden, or just enjoy our nightlife.”

Dyer’s voice now greets travelers via regular announcements over the airport’s overhead speakers. Dyer said other outreach efforts are being used, as well.

“I know that that our airport has a marketing budget and we’re going to maximize the use of that marketing budget so that we can encourage people to to fly Fresno,” responded Dyer.

Meikle says he’s already connecting the Southwest Airlines marketing branch with local convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, the Fresno County Employment Development Corporation and other similar entities around the valley.

“In Visalia, in Porterville and all these organizations, we’re doing introductory communications with Southwest,” explains Meikle. “So there’s going to be a very robust outreach and marketing all across the board, both from a leisure travel as well as a business travel perspective.”

Trying to Attract New Business

Dyer says before he took office as mayor at the beginning of January, he was talking with people in the corporate world about Fresno as a place to do business.

“We’ve been on a recruiting mission trying to get the right corporations and businesses here,” explains Dyer. “I can’t tell you how many of those people have asked about our airport.”

Dyer says his message to business leaders is Fresno is centrally located in a state of 40 million people, there is available land, there is not much traffic congestion like other big cities in the state, and has an available workforce.

We are poised to take off in terms of economic development right here in our region,” says Dyer.

Dyer says he also got a phone call from Mike Betts, CEO of Betts Manufacturing in Fresno, as soon as Southwest announced they were planning to offer local service.

“His words were, ‘this is a game changer.’ I’ve heard this from people who have been involved in marketing in Fresno who market for out of town corporations and companies as well,” said Dyer.

Readying For Southwest’s Arrival

The airport is readying ticketing counter space to accommodate the Southwest’s arrival.

“We’re going to be doing their branding there and showing people links to their website right on the back wall screens behind their counters long before they actually start flying,” says Meikle. “We’re going to see a Southwest presence in our lobby here just in a few weeks.”

Meikle says Southwest plans to bring in some employees from other airports, augmented by contracted staff.

In addition to jobs brought in by the airline, Meikle says there will be a trickle down effect.

“On the other side of the coin is the concessions, whether it’s the restaurants or the gift and news (stand),” says Meikle. “What this really means is there’s going to be more passengers flying.”

Dyer Says Airline is Here To Stay

Southwest representatives were in Fresno in November ahead of the announcement about the airline’s new Fresno service.

Dyer wanted to allay concerns that the move might be only a trial run for the airline.

“I asked the question, are we are we simply going to the dance together? Or are we going to get married? And their response immediately was, we’re getting married,” said Dyer a little tongue in cheek.

He says the company’s intention is to come to Fresno to stay.

Pandemic Impact

Recently, an Iowa airport announced it would start to conduct mandatory COVID-19 screenings for all departing passengers. This after the FAA gave the go-ahead for airports to do so.

The screenings will soon begin at the Eastern Iowa Airport for all outward-bound passengers leaving on a flight and for employees working beyond TSA checkpoints.

GV Wire℠ asked if the Fresno Yosemite International Airport would be following suit and doing the same soon.

No, we’re not really talking about doing that,” answered Meikle. He says an organization called the ‘California Airports Council’ keeps a close eye on these types of things and advises its members on the best course for them.

“So at this point in time, that’s not something in terms of that questionnaire screening that’s happening yet. I mean, it could,” says Meikle. “But with this vaccine coming now, everybody is hopeful that we can just keep moving forward and hopefully put all this behind us.”

[activecampaign form=25]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Clovis Memorial Run Brings the Community Together, Supports Senior Programs

DON'T MISS

Attorney Error Lowers Fees in Fresno Measure P Case

DON'T MISS

Trump Gives Commencement Address at West Point, Stressing a New Era

DON'T MISS

9 of a Doctor’s 10 Children Are Killed in Israel’s Latest Strikes in Gaza

DON'T MISS

Daisy Can’t See or Hear, but She Knows How to Love

DON'T MISS

How to Travel Without a Phone

DON'T MISS

Chukchansi Casino Hosts Job Fair to Fill 80 Food and Beverage Positions

DON'T MISS

California’s High Living Costs and Rampant Poverty Sharpen Its Economic Divide

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Man Killed in Head-On Collision Identified

DON'T MISS

California Allocates $56 Million to Combat Youth Homelessness

UP NEXT

California Allocates $56 Million to Combat Youth Homelessness

UP NEXT

Let the Hunt for Fresno County Fruit Trail Delights Begin!

UP NEXT

18 Injured in Knife Attack in Hamburg, Report Says

UP NEXT

All Six People Aboard Plane That Crashed in San Diego Confirmed Dead

UP NEXT

Justice Department Reaches Deal to Allow Boeing to Avoid Prosecution Over 737 Max Crashes

UP NEXT

Clovis Church’s ‘Giving Truck’ Offers Free Coffee With a Twist

UP NEXT

Should Fresno Make It Easier to Convert Office Buildings Into Housing?

UP NEXT

Low-Income Compton Students Get $225M State-of-the-Art High School Campus

UP NEXT

Everyone Now Has an Opinion on Jake Tapper

UP NEXT

Braves Star Ronald Acuña Jr. to Return Friday From Left Knee Injury

9 of a Doctor’s 10 Children Are Killed in Israel’s Latest Strikes in Gaza

1 day ago

Daisy Can’t See or Hear, but She Knows How to Love

1 day ago

How to Travel Without a Phone

1 day ago

Chukchansi Casino Hosts Job Fair to Fill 80 Food and Beverage Positions

1 day ago

California’s High Living Costs and Rampant Poverty Sharpen Its Economic Divide

2 days ago

Fresno County Man Killed in Head-On Collision Identified

2 days ago

California Allocates $56 Million to Combat Youth Homelessness

2 days ago

Let the Hunt for Fresno County Fruit Trail Delights Begin!

2 days ago

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Southwest Shooting Through Valley Crime Stoppers’ Tip

2 days ago

18 Injured in Knife Attack in Hamburg, Report Says

2 days ago

Clovis Memorial Run Brings the Community Together, Supports Senior Programs

The annual Clovis Memorial Run brought runners and walkers to the new Clovis Senior Activity Center on May 24, featuring multiple races that...

24 hours ago

24 hours ago

Clovis Memorial Run Brings the Community Together, Supports Senior Programs

1 day ago

Attorney Error Lowers Fees in Fresno Measure P Case

1 day ago

Trump Gives Commencement Address at West Point, Stressing a New Era

1 day ago

9 of a Doctor’s 10 Children Are Killed in Israel’s Latest Strikes in Gaza

Blind and deaf, Daisy is a gentle senior pup who has blossomed in foster care and is now searching for a loving home. (Mell's Mutts)
1 day ago

Daisy Can’t See or Hear, but She Knows How to Love

1 day ago

How to Travel Without a Phone

1 day ago

Chukchansi Casino Hosts Job Fair to Fill 80 Food and Beverage Positions

California Wealth and Poverty
2 days ago

California’s High Living Costs and Rampant Poverty Sharpen Its Economic Divide

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend