Alaska Airlines photo contributed by FAT

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) has once again set a record for the number of passengers served in a year.

FAT announced on Monday historic passenger volume of more than 2.1 million in 2022.

This is a 12% increase over 2021, which served 1.94 million passengers and the highest volume since 2019, which saw 1.96 million passengers travel through FAT.

FAT passenger traffic in 2022 increased at a rate of 122% compared to the nation wide average of 99%. This growth rated placed FAT fourth in the U.S. Pacific Region and 13th nationwide.

When comparing 2019 to 2022, FAT grew 110% versus the nationwide average of 91%, finishing fourth in the Pacific Region and improving to 12th nationwide.

“I am extremely proud to have one of the fastest growing airports in the nation,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. “As our airport grows, so does our economy. I am also extremely pleased with progress that is being made with our terminal expansion that will triple our international capacity. Great cities have great airports, and we are well on our way to having a great airport.”

In the last 12 months, FAT’s domestic airline load factor — how full a plane is — was 83%, with four of the previous six months above 88%. Load factors are at their highest point since 2015, a time when passenger load factors exceeded 86%.

These figures make the last 12 months the second-highest annualized load factors since 1990.

The airport’s international market to the Mexico continues to exceed prior years with an increase of approximately 20% in 2022 compared to 2021.

Along with FAT’s strong load factors in 2022, the airport ranked third in North American airports for airline on-time performance.

“Fresno Yosemite International Airport continues to be a top performing airport in recovery and passenger growth spurred by our partner airlines meeting the air service demand for Central Valley travelers,” said FAT Director of Aviation Henry Thompson. “With more travelers using FAT and choosing their hometown airport, Fresno is able to present a strong case to airline planners about expanded air service opportunities in our market.” 

Aircraft upgauge, which refers to the change of aircraft while retaining the same flight number, increased over the last few years with the average aircraft size up 26% since 2019, resulting in a higher number of passengers departing per flight.

Cargo transported through the airport in 2022 totaled more than 30 million pounds, a 6.5% increase than 2019 when almost 29 million pounds moved through FAT.

There are also plans to increase capacity at FAT through increased frequency to Dallas-Fort Worth on American Airlines to four daily flights from three starting in February.

There will also be an increase of daily flights to Las Vegas on Southwest Airlines as it goes from three to four flights starting in July, representing a 25% increase in capacity.

There is also the anticipated return of daily United Airlines seasonal service to Chicago this spring.