Airport authority buys Key Brothers Flying Service

By Staff
July 24, 2004
By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Meridian Regional Airport is now the only commercial airport in Mississippi to sell fuel to civilian, airline and military users.
The Meridian Airport Authority bought Key Brothers Flying Service from Gil Carmichael of Meridian for $489,000. The sale was official Thursday and announced Friday.
The airport authority bought the other airline fuel supplier at the airport, Meridian Aviation, on April 1.
Tom Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Meridian Airport Authority, said the acquisition of both companies will bring a significant, needed boost to the airport authority's income.
While Meridian Aviation generally serviced corporate and private airplanes, Key Brothers primarily serviced the military and airlines.
The purchase of Key Brothers Flying Service includes the original brick terminal building, built in 1930. Williams said the airport authority is considering turning the building into a museum dedicated to the Key Brothers and aviation history.
Meridian Regional Airport offers three commercial flights daily to Atlanta on Atlantic Southeast Airlines.