Thorpe, hired by the city in July, said the initiative could be implemented by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a great element to enhance that passenger experience, customer experience,\u201d Thorpe said in an exclusive interview with The Bee while sharing his visions of the Fresno airport. \u201cA lot of the value in this is reminding the community that an airport is a unique place.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt creates a love and kind of a connection with that airport. And maybe, it means they want to fly out of here more.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Fresno Yosemite International Airport offers a variety of flights to vacation destinations across the country and even beyond that won\u2019t break the bank. FRESNO YOSEMITE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Growing TSA trend at airports<\/p>\n
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, virtually all U.S. airports prohibited non-passengers past security checkpoints<\/a> as part of federal security rules.<\/p>\n But before then, non-passengers were allowed to wait within the terminal after going through Transportation Security Administration screening.<\/p>\n The Fresno airport wouldn\u2019t be breaking ground by allowing nonpassengers past TSA screening and into the terminal.<\/p>\n Instead, it would be following a trend that\u2019s steadily growing.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh International Airport in 2017 became the first<\/a> major U.S. airport to allow nonpassenger admittance into terminals following the 9\/11 restrictions.<\/p>\n As of June, there were 21 U.S. airports allowing non-ticketed individuals to pass through airport security<\/a>.<\/p>\n Among them are San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI).<\/p>\n \u201cThe good thing is this has been in practice around the country,\u201d said Thorpe, who previously served as Chief Executive Officer at the Ontario International Airport (ONT), which also allowed nonpassengers into its terminal.<\/p>\n Such access gives more opportunity for people to shop and dine at restaurants located inside the airport beyond security checkpoints.<\/p>\n Beyond the TSA screen in Fresno<\/a> are three restaurants: Mad Duck, Los Amigos and Ike\u2019s.<\/p>\n Long lines, security concerns<\/p>\n Details how the Fresno airport would allow nonpassengers access past TSA checkpoints still are being devised.<\/p>\n Other airports, meanwhile, have rolled out a gate pass program<\/a> requiring individuals to receive approval.<\/p>\n Nonticketed guests can sign up for a gate pass online between 24 hours to seven days prior to their planned visit. In some cases, people can use a kiosk in the terminal on the day they hope to visit.<\/p>\n All the programs require individuals to provide their full name that appears on their Real ID or passport.<\/p>\n And like ticketed passengers, nonpassengers looking to step beyond TSA checkpoints are required to go through TSA screening, and provide their approved pass, plus their Real ID or passport.<\/p>\n Guests are not allowed to use TSA Precheck or any other security bypasses.<\/p>\n Some airports require non-ticketed passengers to enter through and stay in specific terminals, according to CNN.<\/p>\n Other airports limit the time frame when nonpassengers have access beyond security checkpoints.<\/p>\n Costs for those wanting a non-passenger pass to the airport is free.<\/p>\n But certain restrictions might have to be placed to prevent overcrowding.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing that we\u2019ll make sure that we\u2019re careful about is you don\u2019t clog up the TSA,\u201d Thorpe said.<\/p>\n Besides potentially longer lines to get through security, there\u2019s also concerns of security suddenly becoming too relaxed.<\/p>\n But just as the days of passengers removing their shoes during TSA screening have gone away, security policies have changed<\/a> with more advanced technology.<\/p>\n \u201cSafety and security \u2014 nothing comes before that,\u201d Thorpe said. \u201cThere are other exciting things at the airport. … But our core responsibility is that safety and security element.\u201d<\/p>\n With the potential implementation of a non-passenger pass program at the Fresno airport, the long-term hope Thorpe envisions is that the airport becomes utilized not only for travel but as a more commonplace to meet and hang out, and perhaps even conduct business meetings.<\/p>\n And capitalize on more and more people traveling to and from Fresno, which included nearly 2.7 million travelers<\/a> through the airport in 2024.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether it\u2019s a family welcoming someone home who\u2019s been gone for a long time, getting dinner at the airport or holding a business meeting,\u201d Thorpe said, \u201can airport can help create all these different experiences for people.\u201d<\/p>\n This story was originally published August 31, 2026 at 3:30 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/FRS_EPZ_FAT_PARKING_01.JPG\" "\\"FRS_EPZ_FAT_PARKING_01.JPG\\"")
Mark Thorpe, Aviation Director for the City of Fresno, explains the benefits of Fresno Yosemite International Airport’s new parking system during a demonstration event, Tuesday morning, July 14, 2026 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com <\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/FRS_airport_03.JPG\" "\\"FRS_airport_03.JPG\\"")
A traveler checks in at the TSA security station at Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, March 10, 2026. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com <\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/FRS_HonorFlight25_04.JPG\" "\\"FRS_HonorFlight25_04.JPG\\"")
A new program is being considered at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport that would allow nonpassengers to go through TSA screen and hang out beyond security checkpoint. In this photo from 2023, hundreds waved and cheered near the front of the TSA screening area as veterans from the Central Valley Honor Flight arrive back at Fresno Yosemite International Airport after touring U.S. Capital monuments and memorials. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com <\/p>\n