By Faughn Economy • Tourism 0 Comments

FAT continues on flight path of success with record 2.6M passengers

Whether it soared, took off, reached the clouds or any other air travel-related play on words, Fresno Yosemite International Airport once again set a record for passengers in 2024, just missing double digit growth. The airport that markets itself by its international airport code FAT was indeed full of passengers last year — about 2.6 million of them, up 9% from calendar year 2023. With new routes, major construction on a terminal expansion and other improvements, FAT continues to distinguish itself as an airport on the grow, officials said.

“FAT is more than just a place to catch a flight — it’s a key driver of jobs and economic growth for our region,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer in a statement. “With the opening of the newly expanded terminal on the horizon, I’m thrilled for what’s ahead as we continue to welcome travelers and show the world what Fresno has to offer.”

International passenger volumes experienced a substantial surge in growth. In 2024, a total of 411,575 passengers traveled between Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Mexico, representing a 27.5% increase compared to 2023.

Last month, Alaska Airlines launched non-stop seasonal service from Fresno to Guadalajara, Mexico, through Feb. 12. It joined existing carriers Aeromexico and Volaris in daily service to Guadalajara especially popular during the holidays.

“This major passenger growth trend at Fresno Yosemite International Airport is triggered by our airline partners recognizing and responding to the region’s demand for air service options from Fresno,” said Director of Aviation Henry Thompson. “Growing air service with more passengers choosing to fly Fresno and filling seats demonstrates to the airlines that more service is needed to meet demand.”

2024 air service and airport highlights

  • Return of daily United Airlines seasonal nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in May
  • Introduction of new daily nonstop flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) with Delta Airlines in June
  • Launch of new Saturday nonstop service to Dallas Love Field (DAL) with Southwest Airlines in June
  • Increased frequency to Las Vegas (LAS) on Southwest Airlines to four daily flights from three flights in March through September and representing a 25% increase in the airline’s capacity to LAS
  • Cargo transported through FAT in 2024 totaled more than 20 million pounds. Cargo carriers FedEx and UPS upgauged from 757 aircraft to the 767 aircraft (both carriers) and A300s (UPS).
  • Placement of the final structural steel beam in October to support the largest airport development program in FAT’s history, including a new concourse wing with areas for shops and dining, expanded passenger screening checkpoint, a new Federal Inspection Station for international arrivals with an added waiting area for friends and family.

2025 FAT air service preview

Added capacity through FAT planned later this year includes:

  • Increased frequency to Las Vegas (LAS) on Southwest Airlines to four daily flights from three flights in March and representing a 25% increase in the airline’s capacity.
  • Added nonstop seasonal service to Portland International Airport (PDX) on Allegiant beginning May 22 through mid-August 2025 operating on Sundays and Thursdays.
  • Return of daily United Airlines seasonal nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in May.
  • Return of nonstop service with twice weekly service to Dallas Love Field (DAL) with Southwest Airlines June 7 through mid-August 2025.

https://thebusinessjournal.com/fat-continues-on-flight-path-of-success-with-record-2-6m-passengers/

By Faughn Economy • Tourism 0 Comments

Stockton Metro adding flights to Denver in 2025

Things are looking up for passenger flights at Stockton Metro Airport. Allegiant Airlines will launch twice weekly service to Denver International Airport on May 14, 2025. Denver is the largest airport in the United States. It allows passengers to connect to other flights or use the airport rail line to go directly to downtown Denver. Allegiant is also expanding the number of flights to Las Vegas and Phoenix from Stockton in mid-2025. Weekly flights to Harry Reid International Airport in Vegas will increase to nine times per week. Stockton flights to Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix will be bumped up to three times a week.

“We are pleased to introduce this new service and provide the community with a new, convenient, and affordable non-stop travel destination,” said Richard Sokol, Director of the Stockton Metropolitan Airport.

“This is an exciting step forward in the airport’s continuing effort to bring more travel options to our region.”

And it could be just the start of increased passenger service out of Stockton. Stockton Metro’s position as the fourth major airport in the Bay Area — and regional growth that is pushing up household incomes — is drawing interest from airlines interested in possibly operating connector passenger service. San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti indicated several months ago Spirit, United, and American are exploring potentially having flights in and out of Stockton. If it happens, it would be a significant development for the Northern San Joaquin Valley with 1.6 million residents and counting. Not only is the region consistently among the top four fastest growing areas in the state, but demographics are showing significant jumps in the household income of those moving into the area from west of the Altamont Pass.

Given Manteca’s northern most city limits at Roth Road and Airport Way is within four miles of the Stockton Metro terminal, whatever happens at the county owned airport will have a significant impact on Manteca. The Bay Area is served by San Francisco, and Oakland airports that are significantly more congested when it comes not just to passengers accessing them but also with the number of flights. Stockton has steadily grown its Bay Area profile in the past 20 years.

Initially, it was upwards of a dozen corporate jets being located at Stockton that were owned by big tech companies in the Silicon Valley during a time period when flight times were limited out of San Jose.

Eventually, they were able to shift back to San Jose.

Then in 2016, Amazon started its daily large cargo jet movements to Stockton. In 2020, the online retailer expanded their footprint at Stockton to handle up to eight large cargo jets a day. Amazon operates fulfilment centers near the airport including three in Tracy, two in Stockton, and one in Manteca on Airport Way. There are also Amazon fulfillment centers in Patterson and Turlock.

Before the pandemic, United operated connector flights from Stockton to Los Angeles.

“This is very exciting news for our County and region,” said Miguel Villapudua, Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.

“Between the Board’s $26 million investment earlier this year and Airport Director Sokol’s tireless work to realize the potential of SCK, this is only the beginning of great things to come.”

https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/stockton-metro-adding-flights-to-denver-in-2025/

By Faughn New Developments • Tourism • Workforce 0 Comments

New casino project to break ground in Madera County

A new casino is closer than ever to being built in the Madera County. After nearly 20 years, the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians plan to break ground on Saturday. A large, vacant lot off of Avenue 18 and Road 23 will soon be transformed into the North Fork Mono Casino & Resort. The plans say it will include 2,000 slot machines, 40 table games, a 200-room hotel, restaurants, a food court, meeting rooms. and more. The controversial mega casino had to clear several hurdles to get to this point. The project has faced numerous lawsuits, environmental reviews, even other tribes claiming they do not have tribal rights to the land.

“They have overcome those legal disputes. They’ve actually won their case in court and we’re beyond that now and now we’re in the groundbreaking phase,” said Madera Mayor Santos Garcia.

Earlier this year, the tribe received approval to work with a Las Vegas-based developer. Local leaders say they’ve also entered into an agreement with the tribe to ensure money will be infused into the community of Madera, including dollars to support first responders.

“They’re also going to provide money to help us with our Parks and Recreation and our infrastructure. They’re committed to help us with sidewalks and water and sewer and so we look at this as a long-term benefit. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we look at it as a long-term benefit and partnership,” said Garcia.

Silvia Belin lives in Madera and says she plans to apply to work at the casino once it’s built.

“I think it’ll bring more jobs in the area you said that you would like to get a job yeah I would like to get a job there,” said Belin.

Many are concerned the project will create more traffic on roads already in need of repair, but Garcia says plans to upgrade are already in the works.

“It has to be incremental. It’s not going to be all in one shot. They have to start just by the fact that they’re going to start. It’s going to be very important,” Garcia explained.

“In 10 years, you’re not going to recognize Madera, I guarantee you.”

By Faughn New Developments • New Location • Tourism 0 Comments

New $36 million hotel coming to Merced

The next addition to one of Merced’s newest shopping centers is about halfway complete and set to open next year. Those who have driven by Campus Parkway Plaza have seen the large project under construction.

The Hilton Garden Inn is scheduled to open in August or September of 2025, according to Daniel Moradzadeh, director of the Merced-based Shemoil’s Investment Development which owns the hotel and Campus Parkway Plaza property. The five-story hotel, which will consist of 133 rooms, is a $36 million project. “It’s taken three generations of investing in our local community by my family to get to this point,” Moradzadeh said. “It’s been a massive undertaking.”

The Hilton Garden Inn will become a new addition to the Campus Parkway Plaza, which already houses a Starbucks, Tractor Supply Co., Chipotle, McDonald’s, and two gas stations. The 44,224-square-foot hotel will sit on an 8.3 acre lot that sits on the southwest corner of Campus Parkway and Coffee Street. The hotel include a parking lot with landscaping components. The hotel will also have two kitchens, one dedicated to the hotel and the other to a banquet facility that will sit approximately 350 people. There will also be a full-service bar in the hotel. There will also be an outside sitting area with a fire pit. There are plans to have a projection TV near the outside bar area as well.

“The main reason why we decided to construct this hotel is because the City of Merced needs marquee development,” Moradzadeh said. “This will be something that’s not only elegant, but has the class to go with it.”

As a local investment and development company, Moradzadeh says they’ve hired local contractors, including Merced-based Marvulli Construction. “You want to keep as much money as possible with our local community,” Moradzadeh said. Moradzadeh felt the location for the new hotel is ideal with the freeway access at Campus Parkway, the proximity to UC Merced and the building of a nearby regional sports complex on the 40-acre Community Park 42, which will eventually host large sports tournaments.

Moradzadeh says the company was approached by many hotel and motel companies, but chose to go with Hilton Garden Inn because they allowed them to tailor the hotel to fit what they wanted to build in Merced. “We decided to secure our franchise with Hilton because they gave us the highest-rated brand we could bring to Merced,” Moradzadeh said. Moradzadeh says construction of the hotel has remained on schedule. “As far as our scope of construction goes, we’re approximately 50% done,” Moradzadeh said. “The structure is completed, it’s fully framed. We’re one year out from our our test runs.”

https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/article290481614.html

By Faughn Hi-Tech • Tourism 0 Comments

Modesto-area 49ers fans can avoid traffic by taking ACE trains

Fans of the San Francisco 49ers can once again ride the Altamont Corridor Express to most home games. The trains will go to all but two games during the 2024 regular season at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. ACE cannot do the Monday night opener on Sept. 9 because it would interfere with normal passenger operations. The same goes for a Thursday night, Dec. 12. January playoff games could be added if the team qualifies. ACE has four weekday round trips between Stockton and San Jose, timed for commuters to Bay Area jobs. The closest station to the Modesto area is at the Lathrop/Manteca border. Levi’s is right next to the Great America station.

Details on train ticket prices and timetables are at www.acrerail.com. Riders who book early can get seven trips for the price of six. In a few years, ACE will be even more convenient. It has funding for one branch to Merced and another to Sacramento. Modesto and Ceres could get stations in late 2026 and other cities could join in between then and 2030. ACE has run the 49ers trains off and on since the 2014 opening of Levi’s Stadium. Fans avoid freeway traffic and parking fees.

“My blood pressure is low on the train,” one fan told The Modesto Bee’s Garth Stapley aboard a 2014 train. “It’s a lot easier than driving.”

ACE ALSO CAN SERVE CONCERTGOERS

The 2024 football service was announced in a news release from the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, the governing body for ACE. “We want fans to be able to cheer on their team, allowing them to focus entirely on enjoying the game-day experience,” said Chairwoman Nancy Young, the mayor of Tracy. Early into its expansion, ACE plans to continue serving mainly commuters. Future funding could stretch it to other weekday hours and to weekends, meaning no more need for special trains to Levi’s.

The stadium also hosts top-tier concerts, sometimes with rail service from the Central Valley. ACE took Ed Sheeran fans to a show last September. It did not take part in the Taylor Swift mania two months earlier, but Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor between Sacramento and San Jose did.

https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article291070735.html

By Faughn New Developments • New Location • Tourism 0 Comments

Another truck stop pulling into Tipton

A new truck stop will be pulling into Tipton soon.

Mike Washam, head of economic development for Tulare County, said plans for a TA Truck Stop have been filed to locate at Avenue 120 and Road 124 on the eastside of Highway 99 near Tipton. Avenue 120 is at the north end of Tipton, just a few miles south of Tulare. It is also the location of the California Dairies plant where the company manufactures milk powder, bulk butter, nutritional powders and processed fluids.

“They are doing civil works now” to locate the multi pump station with a convenience store, showers and a restaurant, Washam said. The site was formerly an old cotton gin.

The TA chain is owned by TravelCenters of America LLC, the largest publicly traded full-service truck stop and travel center company in the United States. The company operates full-service centers, convenience stores, and restaurants under the TravelCenters of America, TA, Petro Stopping Centers, TA Express, and GOASIS brands. TA has Highway 99 locations near Bakersfield and in Madera.

TravelCenters of America is headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, operates in 44 U.S. states, and employs nearly 20,000 people, as of 2021. Stations are typically large at 10,000 square feet. In terms of the number of pumps, there will be 20 pumps for gasoline and 20 pumps for diesel if it is anything like TA’s truck stop in Buttonwillow, Calif.

In May 2023, British owned oil company BP Products North America Inc., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of BP plc acquired the TravelCenters of America. TA plans to open 20 new locations this year, as well as add 1,600 new truck parking spaces, add Pulse EV charging stations at select sites, enhance store layouts, and upgrade mobile maintenance and emergency roadside assistance vehicles to better serve its fleet customers and professional drivers. TA opened is 300th location in Walton, Kentucky in February.

The new Highway 99 truck stop will compete directly with two major players including Loves and Flying J, both in Tulare as well as the new Mavericks station under construction on Cartmill Avenue, a Valero gas station on Caldwell Avenue as well as several others in Goshen. There’s also a new truck stop south of this site as well near Earlimart called Akal Travel Center.
By Faughn New Developments • Tourism 0 Comments

Ethan Conrad Properties acquires the Merced Mall

Hey Merced, let’s warmly welcome Ethan Conrad Properties!

Ethan Conrad Properties acquires the Merced Mall. The mall, strategically positioned at the best retail location in Merced, will be renamed Marketplace at Merced. ECP has already received significant interest from over 300,000 SF of anchor tenants. The renovation project calls for 2 additional pads along W. Olive Avenue. More good things are ahead for Merced.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=845800827584142&set=a.216633650500866

By Faughn Economy • Tourism 0 Comments

Stockton Metro Airport Lands $26M For Upgrades

Stockton Metro Airport — just over 3 miles from Manteca’s northern most city limits — is undergoing $26 million in upgrades. The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved $26.2 million Tuesday to fund what county leaders called “transformative improvements” at the airport. The funds will support revitalization of key facilities, increase capacity for commercial airline service and attain future economic development goals.

Allegiant Airlines currently non-stop flights to Las Vegas and Phoenix. It is also a key airport in Amazon’s Prime network with a number of flights daily delivering cargo that is headed for one of 11 distribution facilities they operate in the region including in Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, Patterson, and Turlock. Amazon has more than 13,000 people working at its nearby fulfillment centers. The airport’s role in San Joaquin County’s future is two-fold. There are 1.2 million residents in San Joaquín and Stanislaus counties alone that could access airline service.

It also playing a role in snagging business park tenants due to its ability to serve both cargo and corporate travel. Stockton has business park projects — or are zoned for such use — on three sides of the airport. Manteca’ business park expansion in the northwest corner of the city is just three miles from the airport. In addition. Manteca’s the general plan calls for the development of hundreds of more acres north of Roth Road that would be even closer to the airport. Given Manteca’s proximity to the airport — downtown Manteca is 8.3 miles away while downtown Stockton is 6.8 miles away — what occurs there can have a big impact on the Family City.

“This funding is a huge step to help attract prospective airline carriers and cargo operators to our region and contribute to jobs, economic development, and overall quality of life,” said San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair, Miguel Villapudua.

“We foresee a time in the near future where we are transporting thousands of passengers each day on multiple airlines to destinations across the U.S. SCK already serves a market of over 1.2 million residents from San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties alone.  The addition of an updated terminal with a competitive scheduled airline service would greatly enhance the economic vitality of the County and Central Valley.”

The funding will be used for the following infrastructure projects:

*$8 million in terminal investments. Construct a new five gate, at-grade hold room designed to comfortably accommodate 400 peak hour passengers. Remodel parts of the existing baggage claim, Transportation Security Administration security area and ticket counter portions of the existing terminal. Add new baggage conveyors, provide space for rent-a-car counters and update restrooms.

*$7 million for west ramp restoration/redesign. Restore and redesign the west ramp to accommodate new hangar construction.

*$5.8 million in new hangars/awnings. Construct new aircraft storage hangars (38 units), aircraft sunshade awnings (10 units). Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) awning, and replacement commercial hangar.

*$4.5 million in commercial hangar acquisition. Acquire an existing commercial hangar to update and repurpose portions, or all, of the building and its site.

*$600,000: to construct a pilot center and self-serve fueling facility.

*$325,000 for an AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER STUDY. Complete a siting study for a new FAA-operated/County-owned air traffic control tower.

“These improvements are much needed and a long time coming,” said SCK’s Airport Director, Richard Sokol.

“SCK’s current air carrier terminal building is more than 60 years old. Over the years, some basic mechanical systems of the building have been repaired, but the layout and functionality of the building has gone essentially unchanged. In addition, aircraft size and passenger load has increased, and the way airlines use airport facilities has substantially changed since the 1960s. The existing building must be updated to successfully meet the needs of air carriers who wish to grow the airline market at SCK.”

Sokol noted that the building was originally designed for airplanes seating 50 passengers, while today’s operators feature aircraft seating 138 passengers or more.

He also said the existing passenger hold room was added in 2011, but its size cannot support concurrent operations of multiple aircraft used by today’s airlines.

In addition, security rules and procedures did not exist in 1965 and the way outbound bags are processed has also changed dramatically.

https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/stockton-metro-airport-lands-26m-upgrades/

By Faughn New Developments • Tourism 0 Comments

Merced airport terminal project to usher in new transportation era, city says

City leaders and community members gathered to break ground on a $17 million terminal replacement project at the Merced Yosemite Regional Airport on Thursday. The new airport terminal is planned for the site of the former Hanger BBQ, according to Deputy City Manager Frank Quintero. It will have a dedicated TSA area, updated passenger areas, aviation and airport administration offices as well as upgrades to services in an effort to enhance the overall experience for airline passengers. The project will also include updates to the existing terminal built in the 1940s.

“Our airport is a diamond in the rough, said Quintero. “It’s a gem that has really not been appreciated but now we’re calling attention to it because we want to take it to the next level and that’s what this project is going to do.”

The total cost of the project is expected to be about $17 million for the 11,000 square-foot facility. According to Quintero, roughly $14 million comes from a Federal Aviation Administration grant. The project will introduce an energy-efficient and sustainable facility while meeting current and future demands and addressing the need for modernization, according to the city.

Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto called the project important saying it was one in a big line of really good city projects that are coming. According to Serrratto, the project is a step toward longer economic development, allowing Merced to truly live up to its name and to become a better gateway to Yosemite. “We’ll have planes, trains and automobiles coming here, people getting to Yosemite,” Serratto said.

According to Regional Airport Authority Chairman Bob Scoble, Merced’s airport was originally certified in 1932 and operated as an airport until about 1941-42 when the United State Army Air Corps used it as well as surrounding airports to conduct training for World War II pilots.

The airport was then returned to the City of Merced in 1945 and has continued to operate until today. The existing terminal was built by United Airlines in 1947.

Essential Air Service Provider Advanced Air, currently operates out of the airport, which is owned by the city. The airport offers daily flights to Harry Reid Airport in Las Vegas and Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Los Angeles County.

]https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/article283416583.html