Whether commercial flights can return to the Modesto City-County Airport might soon be answered, as an air service feasibility study has been drafted and submitted to the airport for review.
The study began in fall 2025 and examined the viability of commercial air service at the airport, according to previous reporting from the Bee. The airport is currently used for privately owned small aircraft operations. Previously, the airport offered daily commercial flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The Merced Regional Airport began offering flights to Los Angeles and Las Vegas this spring. Contour Airlines provides the flights through the federal Essential Air Service program, which connects commercial airlines with small and rural communities for better commercial travel access. These flights will be offered for at least the next four years…