#Southwest direct flights from fresno for free#

The majority of it is leisure travel,” Meikle said.

The airport director said that Fresno’s passenger volume hits or eclipses pre-pandemic levels some days - even before Southwest’s launch. “I anticipate that when High-Speed Rail does come online, that we will have that direct and convenient connectivity,” said Meikle. He says the longer-term project of a new terminal will break ground in early 2022 and will take a couple of years for completion.Īnother project well into the future would include linking FAX bus service to a High-Speed Rail station in downtown Fresno. He says the parking “pinch point” will be alleviated by the end of the year. “This 917 spot four-level parking structure is going to open up in October,” says Meikle. The first thing many travelers may notice, especially if they haven’t flown in a while, is the large new parking structure out in front. (GV Wire/Jim Jakobs) Parking Structure & Future Plans I’m simply not able to speak to things either would be in development or unannounced,” answered Hawkins.įresh paint on the tarmac shows where Southwest Airlines will park. “We have a long history of this - when travel patterns illuminate a path for us to add time-saving nonstop service to address trends in travel in our (even newly) established cities, we will add service. GVWire asked him if the airline had an announcement about future routes for Fresno.

#Southwest direct flights from fresno for free#

“We let everyone check two bags for free (weight and size limitations apply) and we’ve never charged a change fee in 50 years of Southwest history,” said Hawkins. Hawkins touts the airline’s baggage policy as one of its biggest selling points. He says the airline is approaching 20 years of operation in California, and the Fresno Yosemite International Airport will be the 13th airport it serves in the Golden State. “Fresno long has been on our radar,” Southwest Airlines spokesperson Brad Hawkins told GVWire by email. (GV Wire/Jim Jakobs) Long on Southwest’s Radarįresno was the largest metropolitan area in California previously not served by Southwest. Friday outside Gate 17, where Southwest Airlines will operate. Related Story: Could New Airport Parking Garage Lure Southwest to FYI? “It is a game-changer for the City of Fresno - not only for leisure travel - but for business, and being able to attract business to our community.” Dyer plans to be there on Sunday morning for Southwest’s “maiden launch,” as he calls it. “This is huge for Fresno,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer during Thursday morning’s city council meeting. The launch of service from California’s Central Valley to Denver and Las Vegas offers substantial connectivity to more than 50 airports.

“The ticket sales have been off the charts.” “We’ve been working with Southwest for this day that’s coming up on Sunday for a number of years,” said Meikle. One employee told GVWire the signs at the gate letting people know where to stand were went up at 4:30 a.m. Southwest Airlines employees were busy training and preparing in areas throughout the airport.

“The ticket sales have been off the charts.” – Fresno Yosemite International Airport Director of Aviation Kevin Meikle