AIR EVAC REMAINS AIRPORT FBO

Air Evac EMS Inc. will remain the fixed-base operator at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

The West Plains-based company announced Thursday that plans to sell the assets of Air Evac Aviation to MDI Corp. had been terminated.

MDI's Prestige Air Services Division and Air Evac announced in August they had reached an agreement for MDI to purchase the fixed-base operator's assets.

"We mutually agreed to terminate these proceedings," said William Chritton, Air Evac board chairman, "and we're happy with the situation."

"At this time we will continue with our charter operations," said Duane Beussink, president of MDI. "We'll re-evaluate our position on any FBO plans."

Air Evac officials said Air Evac Aviation "is back to doing business as usual" at the airport.

The company also announced plans to add one or more twin-engine aircraft to its fleet.

Air Evac Aviation offers passenger and cargo services, pilot training, fuel sales and aircraft repairs by a Federal Aviation Administration licensed maintenance repair station.

Air Evac EMS also operates the air ambulance service at St. Francis Medical Center.

Air Evac became the fixed-base operator in September 1994, when it assumed the operation from Cape Central Airways.

"With the support of the city of Cape Girardeau, we have made significant refinements to the buildings and equipment at the airport during the past year," said Chritton. "We will continue with other planned improvements."

Air Evac EMS was disappointed with the August announcement that Air Evac Aviation would give up its base operations at the airport. In a letter to the city, Air Evac said Prestige Air had announced it planned to open a second, base operation. Air Evac further stated in the letter that it opted to sell its base operator's assets to Prestige rather than compete in a narrow market that couldn't sustain two base operators.