An aerial view of the current airport.

Warsaw Municipal Airport is important to the community. Not only does it bring travelers from all over the country to the biomedical industry, it provides a major economic impact to the community.

Warsaw Airport has an economic impact surprising to most. Goshen, with three times the population of Warsaw, has an airport with an economic impact of $9 million a year. Indianapolis Airport, located on the north side of the city and is the business airport, brings in $220 million. Fort Wayne International Airport brings in $940 million a year.

What does Warsaw bring in? Warsaw Airport has an economic impact of $860 million a year.

Last year while many airports were closed, Warsaw airport was only closed for four-hours, a testament to the dedicated staff.

The airport is also the number one frequented airport by Johnson/Johnson outside of its base in New Jersey.

Nicholas King, airport manager, stated 5 percent of those flying in to the airport are executives. Every flight in and out of the airport carries doctor’s resident students, surgeons and engineers who tour businesses. There are also third party companies who use the airport.

“The Dance,” airplane leaves nightly carrying biomedical products to be shipped out around the world.

But Johnson & Johnson, Zimmer, Biomet are not the only ones using the airport. MedTronics, Explorer Van, Charter Image Air, Hal-Marose-Silveous are among other businesses who use the airport. Private individuals also are major customers.

“Most airports our size are on the tax roll,” said King. “We’re self funded through the fuel sales and of the tax rolls.” This means the airport receives enough funds to pay salaries, maintain equipment and runways.

“We want to keep being self funded and are looking for new corporations (to use the airport) and ways to promote business and aviation.

The airport is open 24 hours seven days a week, but is only staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Someone is on call 34 hours a day