When David Beall, manager of the Warsaw Municipal Airport, told the Board of Aviation Commissioners, on Tuesday night that Image Air had almost entirely shut down, founder V. Richard Miller was quick to refute the claim.
It may look like Image Air is shutting down on paper, because their volume is down, but Miller is adamant that Image Air is still flying and operating.
“We are not going anywhere,” Miller said. “We had four planes and I have sold one, we are looking to sell another one and purchase a third. There just isn't a lot of charters that come out of Warsaw, most of our clients come from Goshen, Elkhart and Kalamazoo.”
In addition to the third plane, Miller said that his maintenance director for Warsaw is now working out of the Auburn Airport.
“He manages the Auburn Airport,” Miller said. “We fill fuel there as well, because fuel in Auburn is cheaper than Warsaw.”
For the past six to nine months Image Air has been in talks with Depuy to buy the hangar that they had leased from Miller. Since the talks began the company has extended the lease of the building to DePuy, but the future of the hangar is unknown.
“At first they said they would purchase the hangar,” Miller said. “But we have extended the leases on the hangar and we are in discussions now. We are doing well and hoping that DePuy would buy the hangar. “
Beall looking for another full-time charter company doesn't bother Miller.
“I don't have any problems with that (looking for more charters),” Miller said.
Beall said that the fact Image Air is not shutting down will not change the fact that he will be looking for more full-time charter companies.
“They (the board) were concerned because Image Air's volumes were down,” Beall said. “We will continue to look for more charter services. That's something I do regularly.”
