FAYETTEVILLE — Airport Board members voted Thursday to terminate the Fayetteville Executive Airports contract with Million Air Fayetteville, a private company that has provided a range of services for pilots and passengers since 2005.

Airport officials cited a laundry list of problems with the Houston-based company, most notably Million Air has been late on rent payments and fuel fees in 28 of the past 31 months. To date, the company owes the city-owned airport about $18,000, according to Ray Boudreaux, Drake Fields executive director.

I have very mixed feelings about this, said Bob Nickle, board chairman. But the bottom line is we have to take some responsibility for this airport.

Million Air, as the airports fixed-base operator, sells fuel, parks aircraft, provides concierge, rental car and catering services and helps pilots coordinate with future destinations. The company is charged $106,000 on average each year for a portion of its fuel sales and to rent space in the airport terminal, Drake Fields fuel farm and a 12,000-square-foot hangar.

Boudreaux sent a notice of termination to Roger Woolsey, president and CEO of Million Air, on Nov. 7.

Pursuant to the airports contract with Million Air, either party must give 120 days notice to terminate the contract, which was last renewed for 10 years in August 2010. The contract would officially end in March, giving the city time to either hire a new fixed-base operator or take on airport operations itself.

Woolsey, who did not attend Thursdays meeting, sent a letter Wednesday in which he asked Boudreaux and board members to give him 90 days to make required payments.

If we both take a long view at the investments made to date and consider the ongoing investments and efforts being applied for the airports ultimate success, this simple request will allow the opportunity for our organization to build upon recent successful trends, Woolsey wrote.

Peter Mastroianni, general manager for Million Air Fayetteville since January, correctly noted fuel sales and the number of flights in and out of Drake Field have been up compared to 2011 during most months this year.

Mastroianni said he could not speak for company executives, but, he added, We want to be here, and we want to work with you. ... We just need a little more time.

Boudreaux said Million Air paid $40,000 for a $340,000 renovation of the airports terminal building in 2006.

Mastroianni and his predecessor, MaryKathryn Floyd, were instrumental in procuring and maintaining a contract that has increased military flights at Drake Field. Mastroianni said it could take the city months to resume those flights, which have made up anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of overall operations during the past two years.

Boudreaux said there are benefits to having a private fixed-base operator, including national marketing and exposure and improved services to pilots. He added the city was able to adequately take over airport operations after another private company, Fayetteville Air Service, left Drake Field in 2001.

Were not at all concerned about getting the job done, Boudreaux said.

The city would have to fill at least five full-time positions to replace Million Air employees.

James Nicholson, financial coordinator for the airport, estimated it would cost about $50,000 to purchase needed equipment. It would take an additional $40,000 to fill the airports fuel storage tank one time, Nicholson said.

Of course, there is potential money to be made if the city takes on Million Airs duties. The city could capture any profit from fuel sales rather than collecting a fixed fee per gallon from a private company.

City officials could opt to lower fuel prices, a regular gripe from airport staff, board members and local pilots. Million Airs fuel costs have often been the highest of eight airports in the region, according to monthly reports to the board.

The airports policy is to have $500,000 cash on hand at any one time. According to Nicholson, Drake Fields fund balance as of Nov. 30 was $627,000.