Certain economic realities may keep airlines off the tarmac at the Chico Municipal Airport, but it’s hardly a white elephant.
By recently rejecting a contract turning the facility over to a private operator, Chico’s city council put the whole thing back in the lap of their city manager, Mark Orme.
“It’s a great spot,” Orme said. “There’s a lot of space to grow.”
The most likely way forward is keeping management in-house, Orme said.
The airport is much more than a landing strip, waiting room and control tower. It includes a surrounding area with factory, warehouse and office buildings representing tens of thousands of square feet of potential. Orme said leasing activity is up and the city is continuing its efforts to create fair, market-rate pricing.
Restoring commercial flight service may prove a tougher nut to crack. Orme said he recently met with the CEO of a carrier. The news wasn’t great. Orme said he was told there’s little chance in the next two years, but in the future, it’s possible.
“Although we’re somewhat isolated between Sacramento and Redding, the reality is, maybe we’re not isolated enough,” Orme said.