City takes over Air Evac Aviation

Business Today

After reaching a last minute agreement with Air Evac EMS Inc., regarding the sale price of the fueling facilities at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, the city of Cape Girardeau assumed fueling operations at the airport on Dec. 1.

Known for the past seven years as Air Evac Aviation, the city has named the new operation Cape Aviation.

The city stepped in after Air Evac EMS Inc. notified city management in October that it would cease operations Nov. 30. Air Evac Board Chairman William Chritton Jr. said in a letter to the city that the company has "never been able to make the venture financially viable."

The company, based in West Plains, Mo., operates air ambulance services in 22 states. The decision to move will not have any affect on the company's air ambulance service based at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Airport manager Bruce Loy said Air Evac plans to hold onto its 21 hangars, which it rents to corporate and private plane owners. The company is negotiating with the city to reach a ground lease agreement that would allow them to remain on the airport and continue renting their hangars to the public.

The city retained all but two of the Air Evac employees. The city will eventually employ a total of six employees for the operation, increasing the number of city employees at the airport from nine to 15.

The airport's fuel supplier has agreed to provide fuel trucks while the city prepares to purchase or lease its own. Loy said he plans for the transfer of business to be as seamless as possible.

"Our number one concern is making sure planes can get fuel with as little disruption as possible," he said.

Loy said the airport plans to eventually provide most of the services that were provided by Air Evac Aviation.

"We are currently providing air charter services through Cape Air Charter and we are making arrangements to provide aircraft repairs and maintenance services, as well as aircraft rentals and flight training."

Bill Beard, former manager of Air Evac and owner of Cape Air Charter, started his own air charter service company in July. Beard, who has experience flying for past operators at the Cape airport since 1985, said he is "excited about the city taking over the operation. The Cape airport has a lot to offer and I think the city has the potential to make all the pieces come together."

Loy noted that his marketing plan for Cape Aviation would be centered around "providing a quality product through consistent and good customer service."