March 6, 2024- University Support of Initiative to Return Commercial Air Service to Chico

Dear Campus Community, 
 
I am thrilled to announce an exciting partnership between Chico State and the City of Chico aimed at reinstating commercial air service to our community. Earlier today, I had the privilege of speaking at an event alongside other prominent organizations and businesses in our region. Together, we underscored the significance of this collaborative effort and outlined the necessary steps to pave the way for direct flights to and from Chico. 
 
The city’s current plan is to begin offering direct flights to LAX in fall 2025, which will directly benefit the 2,800 Chico State students who are from the LA metro area.  
 
Eliminating the need to get to Sacramento to catch a flight will make the University more attractive for potential students and their families, give our current students a much easier option to return home during breaks, and help our NCAA athletic teams alleviate travel costs and spend less time on the road. In addition to an expected boost in enrollment and subsequent return on our investment, direct flights into Chico will be beneficial in recruiting and retaining faculty and staff, enhance our ability and attractiveness to host conferences and other events, and give us an opportunity to show more visitors the role our University plays in making Chico a great place to live and work. 
 
Stay tuned for further updates. Let’s continue to work together toward a brighter future for Chico State. 
 
Thank You, 
Steve Perez