PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A return to a Boston hub prompted the Presque Isle City Council to recommend a proposal by JetBlue for local air service.
United Airlines currently serves the Presque Isle International Airport with flights to Newark, New Jersey. City councilors voted 5-1 in favor of JetBlue because it would fly to Boston.
The airport falls under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service, which Congress created in 1978 to ensure that smaller communities could have at least minimal airline services. The EAS subsidy is what makes the airport attractive to airlines. Despite United’s six-year tenure and the doubling of passenger boardings, most travelers they’ve spoken with favor Presque Isle-to-Boston service, councilors said.
“I’m encouraged by the growth and interest in our airport,” Council Chair Kevin Freeman said. “I believe the best way to move our airport forward is to go with the proposal by JetBlue.”
The Airport Advisory Committee, an 11-member board that includes the city manager, Airport Director Scott Wardwell and Industrial Park Executive Director Tom Powers, recommended on Feb. 26 to continue with United for the next two-year contract. But the Department of Transportation has the final say, committee and council members said.
The federal department receives proposals and then solicits local input, according to its Essential Air Service guidelines. Local recommendations are only part of the equation. The DOT also considers airline reliability, connections with other destinations, arrangements with other carriers to simplify ticketing and baggage transport, and marketing to the local community.
This year an unprecedented four companies submitted bids, giving the city some solid options, Council Chair Kevin Freeman said. The strongest proposals were from United, which operates a 50-seat jet, and JetBlue, which would use a 100-seat jet.
In 2016, 10,900 passengers boarded in Presque Isle and 13,000 the next year, Freeman said. Airport use plummeted during the pandemic. There were 15,400 boardings in 2022, which grew to 19,254 in 2023, the highest number in more than two decades, he said.
However, United’s proposal would retain Newark as its hub and would not consider using a larger plane. JetBlue would bring something different to the area, he said.
“I would select the JetBlue option so the DOT can vet both options,” said Councilor Craig Green. “And it’s not because of any malice toward United. We will win either way.”
Councilor Doug Cyr agreed, while Garry Nelson said both were good proposals.
JetBlue’s Boston connection tipped the scale for him, said Councilor Jeff Willette, who said he’s received a number of emails from people who miss traveling to Boston.
During the meeting’s public comment session, Jeff Fournier of St. Agatha urged councilors to recommend something other than United. Because of layovers and cancellations, he’s spent 14 nights stranded at Newark, he said.
Frank Pylak of Presque Isle favored any airline that would work with Angel Flight or a similar medical transport program because of his wife’s medical treatments, he said.
Rob Ottaviano of Washburn praised United’s customer service and recounted several successful flights he has taken. The council should remember the company that has grown the airport over the last six years, he said.
In the end, councilors voted to send their recommendation of JetBlue for the next two years of service to the Department of Transportation.
Now, the DOT will review the bids. When it will make its choice is uncertain, and calls to the DOT’s Essential Air Service department were not immediately returned.
The timeline is up to the DOT’s priorities, Airport Director Scott Wardwell said Monday. However, they usually rely on contract ending dates. United’s contract expires in May.
If a different carrier is selected for Presque Isle, the department could require United to continue service until the chosen company can move in, Wardwell said.
The council meeting was City Manager Tyler Brown’s first and last. He started in the position on Feb. 8 and resigned on March 7.
