With winter travel rising because of the holidays, airlines operating out of Fresno Yosemite International Airport are getting ready for the crowds by offering extra flights.

The airline trade organization Airlines for America anticipates passenger volumes on U.S. airlines during this year’s 21-day holiday season — December 15 through Jan. 4, 2018 — will exceed those of last year’s season by 3.5 percent.

“Domestic and international carriers based at Fresno Yosemite International Airport plan to meet the peak season demand by increasing flight frequencies and seat capacity,” states a press release from airport management.

To that end, the following changes are in place for the season:

• United Airlines is offering a fourth daily departure from Fresno to Denver, a major U.S. hub.
• American Airlines added seat capacity to Phoenix by transitioning from a regional jet to a larger Airbus 319 aircraft on its mid-afternoon flights, along with increased service to Dallas, with a third daily departure.
• Volaris airline has started year-round service to Morelia, Mexico, and increased its flights through January between Fresno and Guadalajara to two on selected days.
• AeroMexico will offer daily Guadalajara service into January 2018.
  Passengers are strongly encouraged to arrive at the airport up to three hours prior to international flights and up to two hours prior to domestic flights.

Passengers interested in enrolling in the Transportation Security Administration’s pre-check program to save time at airport security screenings can do so online at www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck or by scheduling an appointment with the local enrollment center by calling 855-347-8371.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport offers travelers these tips to simplify their trips:

• Consider peak early-morning and late-night departures.
• Avoid last-minute arrivals to the airport, as airline ticket counters close for passenger check-in as early as 45 minutes prior to domestic flight departures and 60 minutes prior to international flight departures.
• Check with your airline on your flight’s status prior to leaving for the airport or check via a website or mobile app.
• Review your airline’s website for travel policies, baggage limitations and fees, customer service plans and automated flight alert notifications to cell phones or other mobile devices.
• Travel with a current government-issued identification and have your boarding pass out when you go to board.
• Familiarize yourself with the TSA list on items permitted to take on a plane and those prohibited at www.TSA.gov. You also can tweet questions to @AskTSA.
• Wrapped gifts are allowed on planes but might have to be unwrapped if the gift needs to be inspected.
• Snow globes need to comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule (see below) if packed in carry-on baggage. Larger snow globes should be packed in checked baggage.
• Fruitcake, cookies or other holiday treats are allowed. Solid food items, including ham, turkey, cake, pie and cookies, can be packed in carry-on baggage.
• Spreadable or pourable food items must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule to travel in a carry-on baggage.
• Remove liquids and electronic devices from your carry-on baggage for the security screening.
• Fresno-Yosemite has a private “mothers room,” as well as a service animal relief area past the security screening area.
• The white curb in front of the terminal is for passenger drop-off and pick-up only. The expanded “FREE” Cell Phone Waiting Area is available for motorists waiting for arriving passengers. The area is located slightly past the airport entrance, on the right side of the roadway just before the curve and is marked with blue signage.

For airport parking information and rates, call Standard Parking at 559-252-0052.

Please remember the 3-1-1 rule: Each passenger is allowed to bring a quart-sized bag carrying liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the security checkpoint in their carry-on luggage. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This also applies to consumable items, including bottled water and peanut butter, according to the TSA.

These bags must be placed separately on the X-ray device.