Recent economic troubles have not stopped the Mount Pleasant Airport, 5453 E. Airport Road, from operating as usual.

The nationwide recession had an impact on private owners, but corporate jet traffic has not decreased, said Airport Manager John Benzinger.

In a typical year, the airport sees 35 to 40 different corporate companies, sports teams, visitors and performers going to the casino and CMU, he said.

“(We get) anywhere from Larry the Cable Guy to Aretha Franklin,” he said.

Annually, the airport runs about 11,000 landings and take-offs, Benzinger said, and sells around 60,000 gallons of fuel.

Airport ‘expanded fourfold’

The airport was created in the 1930s by the Roosevelt Oil Company and was donated to the city after the company moved to Alma.

The airport is categorized as a general utility, and handles private and corporate jets, as well as “fun fliers” who fly small, single engines, he said.

The MPMA began as a class D airport and has expanded to meet the needs of the city and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, including adding a second ramp.

“In the past 20 years, we have expanded fourfold,” he said. “It’s like a field of dreams; if you build it, they will use it.”

The recent addition of M-Z Air has been beneficial, Benzinger said, and the business has several clients already.

More than half the airport’s traffic comes from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, he said. Others are visitors from across the nation who come to visit the casino, he said.

Along with building renovations in 2008, the aiport added M-Z Air, a charter flight company, to its location.

City-operated

The MPMA operates through the city on $300,000 budget. It recovers all except for $20,000 to $30,000 annually from fuel sales, land leasing, airplane hangar storage and landing fees, Benzinger said. Fueling is open 24 hours a day.

Duane Ellis, Mount Pleasant director of Public Works, said the airport is very successful.

“People are quite satisfied,” Ellis said. “It is the best little airport in many cities. A lot of customers say they’re very impressed.”

Benzinger has worked there for 23 years and began flying aircraft in 1981.

“Some people golf; I fly,” he said. “I can’t help it. It’s in my blood.”

Benzinger said his job covers all aspects of the airport and is used to being called at all times of the day, even after midnight.

“The job ranges from cleaning toilets to (creating) a five to 10-year plan on where the airport’s going,” he said. “It’s whatever’s needed.”

E-mail the author: Hilary Farrell