Fresno / Yosemite International Airport (FAT) Airlines, Flights

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), or the former Fresno Air Terminal, is located in the southern part of Fresno, offering flights with airlines across the state and country. However, despite its new name, it is in fact not possible to do any flying into Yosemite Park, but other forms of transportation are available to get to and from the airport and the park.

Despite the name, Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is quite a distance from the related park. Many major airlines use its terminal for varied flights, but flying is not limited to airplanes alone. The airport also provides helicopter flight services and passengers can be assured that they can travel in style to and from not only local destinations, but even national and international ones, too.

Fresno Yosemite is located in Fresno, covering some two thousand acres. It has 2 main runways and 1 helipad. It services the valley of San Joaquin, and services routes throughout the western portion of the United States as well as Mexico. It accepts flights from twelve US airlines and one international airline carrier. Freight and package services are provided for through the four main international carriers and car rentals through the five major providers.

Once called Fresno Air Terminal, the airport received its first international flight in 1988 after receiving the related 'point of entry' designation by the FAA. However, the name alteration took place in the mid- 1950's in the hope of attracting more international and US visitors to California's Yosemite National Park.

The airport has undergone many expansions and renovations over the years. A new concourse was constructed in 2002, and a federal level inspection area in 2006. Its IATA airport code was changed in 2005 from FAT to the current FYI.

Currently the airport handles almost one and a half million passengers annually. Thanks to fast thinking, the airport became the first in the United States to implement a special facial recognition device, in aid of counterterrorism, something that was quickly installed not long after 9-11. It is also the first US airport to have a wireless and web-based flight and arrivals display system.

Interestingly enough, the main flight traffic comes from private planes, with a small minority being military. In fact, the Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing squadron operates right out of the airport itself, so visitors should never be alarmed when seeing fighter planes zooming into action. They also operate a military repair depot for fifteen states for varied military craft. Plus, the California Department and U.S. forestry services have a special air tanker fleet in one section that is wholly devoted to fighting any forest fires.