Data, support key to potential airport service

I would like this opportunity to provide some facts with respect to our efforts to return scheduled passenger service to the Chico Municipal Airport. As most people are aware, our community lost air service in 2014. There are lessons to be learned from that loss as well as from successful efforts by other communities across the country.

We are not trying to repeat any previous path, but instead, creating the foundation of a broad community supported effort. We recognize that the road may be rough, but together we will make our best effort.

Our intent is to educate the community on where we have been and where we would like to be in the future. Through a combined effort, we created a survey (https://www.helpchicofly.com/survey/) to receive community feedback. The survey will help the city and our partners better understand the desires of the community. We have contracted with an experienced air service development consultant and a public relations firm to assist us with the process.

Airlines need accurate passenger data and commitment from the community showing support for the potential new service. We intend our efforts to include an incentive package that highlights the community partners and local support. Our efforts intend to provide the needed support of businesses to achieve that goal.

The City of Chico received a $500,000 Department of Transportation grant in 2019 to assist our community in returning air service to the Chico Airport. The City was competing against other communities nationwide for a limited amount of grant funds who are also trying to enhance their air service options. The grant is a great start but alone will not allow us to meet our goals. Our attempts must be a combined effort with community partners.

We will continue to provide updates to the community through media outlets like the Enterprise-Record, social media and on our website — www.helpchicofly.com. Please continue to look for these updates and when asked, please seriously consider becoming a partner with us as we work towards bringing air service back to the Chico Municipal Airport.