Sept. 11--The booming passenger traffic at Fresno Yosemite International Airport is more proof that Valley travelers will respond when offered improved air service at reasonable prices.
Airport officials report that more than 130,000 passengers traveled through FYI in July -- the best month ever for travelers arriving or departing out of the airport. That was an increase of 4.3 percent over passenger traffic in July 2011. Overall air traffic at FYI is up 5 percent for the year.
The July increase was mostly attributed to adding two nonstop daily flights to San Diego via Alaska Airlines, as well as a once-a-week, nonstop Allegiant Airline flight to Honolulu. Both destinations were added in June. Travelers can fly to San Diego for $69 one way or Honolulu for $149 one way.
Airport officials said air travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, and domestic destinations also remain strong, even in this economy. Those destinations keep passenger traffic growing steadily.
There was a time when the Fresno airport was the victim of airline economics, which contributed to flights being reduced out of FYI, as airlines worked to maximize their profits and lower expenses.
But that is changing, and Director of Aviation Russ Widmar and his team at FYI have been working to add flights and destinations. That increases competition, giving passengers more choices at better prices.
There are now nine carriers offering 41 daily flights out of FYI. The airlines are AeroMexico, Alaska Air, Allegiant, American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, US Airways, and Volaris.
We still have some work to do to get more flights and better fares for our region. But FYI is competitive with airports of its size. After all, the strategy airport officials have been using to improve service has put passenger traffic on a record pace for 2012.
Copyright 2012 - Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)
