An artist's rendering of the interior circulation corridor at Fresno Yosemite International Airport under the new terminal expansion plans. Image via City of Fresno

Fresh on the heels of awarding a $126 million expansion contract, Fresno Yosemite International Airport is welcoming a $7.1 federal grant to improve the terminal.

Officials at the airport known by its identifier code FAT will put the grant toward the new terminal concourse that will feature two international and domestic passenger bridges.

The grant — from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — follows approval of a contract last week with Nevada-based Q&D Construction for the terminal expansion that is part of the “FAT Forward” plan.

The project will take about 250 craft labor union workers from the Fresno area employed through a project labor agreement. Local economic impact  is estimated at $85 million.

FAT’s terminal expansion was included along with $1 billion awarded to 99 airports in key areas of the country to make the passenger experience more efficient and enjoyable.

 

“Continued investment in our city’s air transportation facility produces positive economic effects for the community and region,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.  “As an international air gateway for California’s Central Valley, it is essential to provide a spacious and efficient airport which includes expanding capacity to meet the region’s current and growing air service demands.”

The first part of FAT Forward was completed in November 2021 with the opening of a four-level covered parking structure with more than 900 spaces.

The terminal expansion project includes a new upper-level concourse in the existing terminal, which will include more areas for shopping and dining.

Plans include a new international arrivals facility three times the current size to accommodate the growing volume of passenger arrivals.

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

“FAT’s Terminal Expansion Project is the first major improvement to the Airport in more than 20 years and supports a growing Central Valley region,” said FAT Director of Aviation Henry Thompson.  “This federal grant support from our region’s Congressional representatives to fund this significant project gets us that much closer to making this expansion a reality and providing a higher level of service for the community.”