Chico, California: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Yes, Chico, California, has an airport. Known as the Chico Regional Airport, it is located four miles (6 km) north of the city in Butte County. The airport covers 1,475 acres (6.0 km2) and features two runways and one helipad. While it currently does not have commercial passenger service, it offers private and charter flights and aircraft rentals. The airport is a fully certified Part 139 airport, and the City of Chico has been working to restore commercial passenger air service to the region.

Chico Regional Airport's history

Chico Regional Airport, formerly known as Chico Municipal Airport, is located four miles (6 km) north of Chico, in Butte County, California, United States. The airport was built in the late 1930s by the City of Chico on 160 acres (0.65 km2) of land and leased to a fixed-base operator. In 1941, the airport was expanded to 1,475 acres (6.0 km2) to serve the United States military, with the City Council of Chico signing a lease with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The airport has two runways and one helipad and is currently managed by Northgate Aviation, which provides fuel, maintenance, flight training, and charter flights.

Chico Regional Airport has a rich history, especially during World War II. Known as the Chico Army Airfield during the war, it was under the command of the 10th Army Air Force Base Unit, AAF West Coast Training Center, Army Air Forces Training Command. The field opened as the Chico Army Flying School in April 1942 and was responsible for training cadets and ground personnel. In 1944, the field's mission shifted to training fighter pilots, and it was transferred to the IV Fighter Command. The IV Fighter Command introduced jet training and processed personnel and aircraft for overseas assignments. The Chico Army Air Field was deactivated on December 31, 1945, and the property was transferred to the General Services Administration (GSA) for disposal.

In the post-war years, the airport continued to serve the aviation needs of the Chico community. Southwest Airways and its successors provided the only airline service into Chico from 1947 until June 1979. Hughes Airwest and Pacific Express were among the airlines that operated jet flights from Chico to destinations like San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland. Pacific Express, which was based in Chico, ceased operations in 1984.

In recent years, the airport has not seen active commercial air service since SkyWest Airlines ended its service to San Francisco in 2014. However, the City of Chico has been working to restore commercial passenger air service to the region. The airport remains a vibrant part of the community, offering various facilities and services for the aviation community.

Chico Municipal Airport's location

Chico Municipal Airport, now known as Chico Regional Airport, is located in Chico, California, in the United States. It is a fully certified Part 139 airport, situated four miles (6 km) north of Chico, in Butte County. The airport covers 1,475 acres (6.0 km2) and has two runways and one helipad. The airport is accessible via the #52 bus from Oroville and Chico, provided by Butte Regional Transit.

Chico Regional Airport has a rich history, dating back to the late 1930s when the City of Chico built a small airport on 160 acres of land north of the city. The airport was expanded in 1941 to serve the United States military, and it was known as the Chico Army Airfield during World War II. After the war, the airport was deactivated and the land was transferred back to the City of Chico.

Today, the airport is managed by the City of Chico and offers a range of services for the aviation community. The airport's fixed-base operator, Northgate Aviation, provides fuel, maintenance, flight training, and charter flights. The airport also has several operators offering private and charter flights, as well as aircraft rentals and other aviation services.

The airport's ICAO code is KCIC, and it is recognised by the IATA and FAA LID with the code CIC.

Airlines that fly to Chico

Chico, California is served by Chico Regional Airport, formerly known as Chico Municipal Airport. The airport is located four miles (6 km) north of Chico, in Butte County, California, United States. While the airport is operational, it has not seen active commercial air service since SkyWest Airlines ended its service to San Francisco in 2014.

Airlines that previously flew to Chico

Several airlines previously offered flights to Chico, including:

• SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, offered flights to San Francisco.
• Southwest Airways and its successors provided the only airline service to Chico from 1947 until June 1979.
• Hughes Airwest flew jets to San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Portland, and San Jose.
• Pacific Express, based in Chico, flew to San Francisco and other cities in California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.
• American Eagle, Reno Air Express, and WestAir offered flights to San Francisco and San Jose.

Current options for flying to Chico

Although there are no longer any scheduled passenger flights to Chico, travellers can still reach the city by air by chartering a flight. Northgate Aviation, the fixed-base operator at Chico Regional Airport, provides charter flights in addition to fuel, maintenance, and flight training services.

Chico's Air Service Development Program

Chico, California, is served by the Chico Regional Airport, formerly known as Chico Municipal Airport. The airport is located four miles (6 km) north of the city in Butte County. It covers 1,475 acres (6.0 km2) and features two runways and one helipad. While it is a fully operational airport that meets Federal Aviation Regulations Part 139 standards, Chico Regional Airport currently does not have any scheduled commercial passenger air service.

The City of Chico has been actively working to restore commercial passenger air service to the region through its Air Service Development Program. This initiative aims to bring back the commercial air service that was lost when SkyWest Airlines ended its flights to San Francisco in 2014. The city council has set aside funds to incentivize commercial airliners to resume flights to and from Chico.

Chico Regional Airport still hosts several operators offering private and charter flights, aircraft rentals, and other aviation services. Northgate Aviation, the airport's fixed-base operator, provides fuel, maintenance, flight training, and charter flights. The airport also has a wide array of facilities and services available for the aviation community year-round.

The City of Chico has a proud history of aviation and has been recognised for its efforts in promoting aviation in the region. In 2022, the airport was renamed from Chico Municipal Airport to Chico Regional Airport to better represent the entire area it serves. This change was also made to associate incoming travellers with the known amenities of Chico, including the renowned Sierra Nevada Brewery, which is a popular first stop for visitors.

Chico Regional Airport Open House

Chico, California, is home to the Chico Regional Airport, formerly known as the Chico Municipal Airport. The airport is located four miles (6 km) north of the city in Butte County and covers 1,475 acres (6.0 km2). It has two runways and one helipad, and its fixed-base operator, Northgate Aviation, provides fuel, maintenance, flight training, and charter flights.

Although the airport currently has no scheduled passenger air service, it hosts several operators offering private and charter flights, as well as aircraft rentals and other aviation services. The City of Chico has been working to restore commercial passenger air service to the area through its Air Service Development initiatives.

To showcase the airport and engage the community, the City of Chico hosts an annual open house event called "Take Off, Chico!". The event offers a behind-the-scenes look at airport operations, exhibitions, aircraft displays, interactive displays, aviation history, and live demonstrations. It also features vendors and exhibitors from private aviation, local businesses, and government agencies. The second annual Chico Regional Airport Open House was held on October 19, 2024, from 2 PM to 7 PM, followed by an outdoor movie night on the tarmac.

The open house event is designed to raise awareness of aviation in the local community and attract people of all ages, from youngsters to aviation enthusiasts. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the airport, learn about its history, and interact with various exhibitors and vendors. The event also includes a scavenger hunt, paper airplane contests, and aircraft rides, making it an engaging and fun experience for all attendees.

Frequently asked questions