The smell of concrete and the sound of sandblasters are noticeable in a concourse that in five months will route thousands of Fresno Yosemite International Airport travelers to their flights.

The new $150 million terminal at the airport is set to fully open in November. Already, a new passenger screening area is in operation. Airport officials provided elected officials and media a sneak preview Wednesday.

“Fresno truly is a destination city and it’s time that we had an airport that reflected that,” said Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, whose District 4 includes the airport.

The project includes a new terminal, baggage handling area, an international arrival and screening area, and an already opened 900-space parking garage.

The security screening area now features five machines, with a sixth to be added — up from four — and more spacious lines.

Several new restaurants will open, including Los Amigos. Ike’s Love & Sandwiches also has a “coming soon” sign in the terminal.

Goal: Add Direct Flights to Cabo San Lucas, Other Beach Cities

Henry Thompson, Fresno’s airport director, is optimistic the airport expansion will lead to more flights.

The new international flight screening area will allow the airport to process three times more passengers per hour, Thompson said.

“We’re in ongoing conversations with the airlines, and so we’re talking with airlines about increasing international capacity out of here. That’s increasing service to existing destinations, increasing service or adding service to new destinations, and then new airlines that don’t currently serve,” Thompson said.

What is the top destination that passengers want to travel to?

“Any beach destination. We don’t have a direct flight to a beach destination, so that’s where we’re working hard to fill that gap,” Thompson said.

The wish list includes Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Hawaii.

Thompson said it is hard to pin down how many more flights the airport will see. Currently, FYI processes 2.6 million passengers a year. With expansion, he is hoping that could add another half-million.

First Mural Unveiled

The terminal will feature 15 new art projects, the first unveiled during a tour that airport officials gave media and elected officials on Wednesday.

The 47.5′-by-12.5′ foot mural greets passengers after security screening. It features such images as a jet from the 144th Fighter Wing next door; the Pacific Southwest Building; an agricultural field; and a scene depicting the national parks.

“The center is based on community and diversity. Everyone’s coming together to grow up their communities,” said Kelsey Gilles, who partnered with Colleen Mitchell-Veyna to paint the mural.

The Central Valley women said they spent three months on the project before transferring it piece by piece to the airport.

Gilles and Mitchell-Veyna have partnered on murals in Exeter, Hanford, and Madera.

The terminal will feature a terrazzo floor resembling a flowing river. A Polish-made sculpture is also scheduled.