Sky’s the limit for booming West Memphis Airport

Sky’s the limit for booming West Memphis Airport

Commissioner: ‘ Business is really coming’

news@theeveningtimes.com

Fuel sales are soaring at the West Memphis Airport. The airport recently put fuel supply out to bid and Phillips petroleum won the award. As a custom, it is a pilot courtesy to top off the aircraft fuel tank when using an airfield. But, sales of jet fuel doubled at the local airport as pilots paid at the pump for their preferred brand.

Airport commissioners took notice during the April meeting.

“I understand we are on Phillips now, and we sell more in one week than we used to in two weeks,” said Commissioner Mel Bearden.

Purchasing tanker loads of jet fuel is one way to gauge the jet fuel and Avgas demand along with sales receipts. Previously the airport purchased jet juice twice a month.

“We are buying jet fuel every week now,” said Airport Manager Candra Suiter.

“You can tell business is really coming in as a result of Phillips,” said Bearden.

The airport manager said feedback had been flying in too.

“We’ve received several phone calls saying they were glad we are back with Phillips,” said Suiter. “Just random customers, some base customers, some aren’t. We’ve had a really good response to that.”

Commission Chair David Pike analyzed fuel sales receipts

and hoped for a continued skyward trend from the airport. “With the exception of one month last year, our total dollars is more than anything we’ve had in a year,” observed Pike. “That’s really good. Hopefully we made the right choice.” •

Control Tower Demolition

starts in earnest Monday April 24. Asbestos abatement is almost complete. The sixty day contract calls for the tower to

be taken down two feet below grade, back filled and seeded in grass.

Weather permitting it will take about three weeks to get it all down,” said airport engineering consultant Steve Hooper.

The control Tower is obsolete,

vacated during the air

traffic controllers strike during the Reagan presidential administration.

•

Improvement plan

date

changes were authorized by commissioners in response to entitlement funding flow. Improvements to the south apron and taxi ways will be divided into to phases and take a longer time to complete according to the most FAA review. The airport awaits final word to advertise for contractors.

“They’re wanting to split it up rather than do the whole thing,” said Bearden.

By John Rech