Fresno Airport’s $127M Expansion Gets Boost With New Federal Grants

Rep. Jim Costa announced Thursday that Fresno Yosemite International Airport will receive a $7.1 million federal grant to expand the terminal and $4.4 million to upgrade its primary runway.

“Fresno-Yosemite International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country, with historic passenger growth and air travel demand,” Costa said in a news release. “These federal investments will help fund the airport’s expansion, create good-paying jobs, and boost our economic growth, as part of an ongoing effort that I am engaged with the city of Fresno to improve air service for the public.

“I was proud to support the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It’s through investments like this that we can ensure that all travelers flying to and from the San Joaquin Valley have an easier, safer journey to their destination.”

The city’s director of aviation, Henry Thompson, said that the “significant funding investments move us closer to constructing a modern and expanded terminal facility, which will provide California’s Central Valley travelers with a higher level of service, as well as help to rebuild critical infrastructure on the airport’s airfield.”

The smaller grant will improve the airport’s primary runway, which is used for commercial flights, freight, wildfire suppression, and Homeland Security.

The larger grant will help build a new terminal concourse featuring two international and domestic passenger bridges as part of the city’s FAT Forward plan.

On Nov. 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law, which invests $15 billion to help redevelop airports across the country. The following December, Costa and local leaders announced $4.6 million through the IIJA for improvements to the airport’s taxiway, terminal development, and noise prevention.

FAT’s major terminal expansion renderings. (CSHQA)

Council Previously Approved $127 Million Airport Expansion

The Fresno City Council approved a $127 million contract to Q&D Construction for the terminal expansion project on Feb. 23 of this year.

FAT continues to experience strong passenger growth and reached a milestone in 2022 with more than 2.1 million travelers — a 12% increase over the previous year.

Highlights of the terminal expansion include:

• New Terminal Concourse B with two dual-use passenger bridges to facilitate domestic and international boarding, larger hold rooms, and more areas for shopping and dining.
• Expanded TSA passenger screening area that will enhance passenger circulation and reduce wait times.
• A new international arrival facility that will triple the current size and improve the experience for international travelers.
• A state-of-the-art airline baggage handling system with added capacity for faster processing.

The terminal expansion is expected to open to the public in fall 2025.

It is funded through a combination of infrastructure grants, Federal Aviation Administration grants, passenger fees, Measure C, the CARES Act, TSA grants, and airport revenue bonds.

“Many community benefits will be realized with this expansion as the project supports a local workforce, generates increased economic activity, provides a facility to accommodate growth and air service development with a modern, efficient airport that reflects a progressive and attractive city to live, work and explore,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.

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

FAT’s terminal expansion interior renderings. (CSHQA)