Parish airport operations growing posted Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 @ 12:32 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Flights into the Concordia Parish Airport have increased to an average of 35 a day and fuel sales are showing continued growth, while a new audit shows the facility's assets grew by $337,000 in 2011. The airport, which has no employees, is managed by the Concordia Parish Airport Authority Board of Directors, whose five members receive no compensation. A financial report released recently by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and compiled by Silas Simmons of Natchez, shows that net capital assets at the airport for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011 totaled $2,341,829, up from $2,004,272 at the end of 2010. Grants have been the revenue source in recent years for a number of airport upgrades, while increased pilot use of the airport is resulting in higher revenue, according to Carl Sayers, who serves and president and chairman of the airport authority. Also serving on the airport board are Jerry Stallings, treasurer, Ray Skates, Donna Maroon and Johnny Blunschi. "We also have several friends who are helping out at the airport like the hangar tenants," Sayers said. "Everybody pitches in." Sayers said fuel sales for 2011 were up 61 percent over estimated revenue. "We projected $35,000, but took in $56,400 in 2011," Sayers said. "In 2006, fuel sales were $6,200." He said selling fuel at lower prices increases traffic and exposure for the airport. Fuel sales for 2012 are already approaching last year's total, Sayers said. For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition!