Presque Isle International Airport
Presque Isle International Airport, formally Northern Maine Regional Airport at Presque Isle is a mile northwest of Presque Isle, in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. It serves the residents of Presque Isle and a vast area of northern Maine and northwestern New Brunswick. Airline flights to Newark Liberty International Airport are subsidized by the federal government's Essential Air Service program at a cost of $3,892,174.
Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 13,385 passenger boardings in calendar year 2008, 13,513 in 2009 and 15,052 in 2010. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a primary commercial service airport.
The airport has the third longest active runway in Maine at 7439', and fifth longest overall, 12,100', and Brunswick Executive Airport 1L/19R. It was once hub to Aroostook Airways, a commuter airline in the 1970s, with service to several cities throughout New England.
History
World War II
During World War II the federal government appropriated the airport, establishing an air base for planes bound to and from Great Britain. Lane Construction of Hampden, was one of the contractors who worked on upgrading the airport for the military. Almost overnight, Presque Isle Army Airfield became a vital air transport installation and the city found itself a busy war center. During the Second World War, Clark Gable was briefly stationed at Presque Isle before being sent to England. Operations during this period were described by Ernest K. Gann, based upon his personal experiences in the Air Transport Command, in his book, Fate Is the Hunter.Post war
When the United States Air Force closed Presque Isle Air Force Base in 1961, the former Air Force Base was redeveloped. Presque Isle is home the University of Maine at Presque Isle, as well as the Northern Maine Community College. Scheduled commercial air service is available through Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle. General aviation services are available through both Northern Maine Regional Airport and Caribou Municipal Airport.In addition, the Skyway Industrial Park sits adjacent to Northern Maine Regional Airport which offers commercial airline as well as general aviation services to the entire region. FedEx and United Parcel Service augment park accessibility by air to and from major markets.
Skyway Industrial Park, owned by the city of Presque Isle and administered by the Presque Isle Industrial Council, has been attractive to a variety of new businesses. To date, over 40 companies have located on the park. The park consists of, of which 175 is prime industrial land served by all utilities, streets, subdivided and available for further development. Located adjacent to the airport and within of downtown, the park has become a dominant feature in the local and regional economy.
Facilities
The airport covers 1,489 acres at an elevation of 534 feet. It has two asphalt runways: 1/19 is 7,439 by 150 feet and 10/28 is 5,994 by 100 feet.In the year ending July 31, 2015 the airport had 5,750 aircraft operations, an average of 16 per day: 30% general aviation, 31% airline, 38% air taxi, and 1% military. In June 2018, there were 24 aircraft based at the airport: 20 single-engine, 4 multi-engine, and 1 jet.
Aircraft servicing Presque Isle include Cessna 208 Caravans and Beechcraft C99s operated by Wiggins Airways. Passenger service is offered with CommutAir, which operates Embraer ERJ family aircraft for United Express.
Airline and destination
Passenger
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