Increased airport use signals improved economy

Passenger counts are up at Maine’s two largest airports, a sign of better economic times, the Bangor Daily News reported Thursday, citing officials at Bangor International Airport and Portland International Jetport.

Bangor International Jetport officials reported this week that 168,072 passengers utilized the facility in June, July and August, up 4.8% from the same period last year.

Airport Director Anthony Caruso attributed the increase to improving economic conditions, local airlines expanding their services and adding equipment in Bangor and ticket prices that are more competitive with Portland than they once were.

“Airlines have recognized that Bangor is a strong market for them,” Caruso told the paper. “They’ve introduced some new equipment [and] added capacity in our market.”

Portland International Jetport reported that 564,272 passengers used the airport in June, July and August, up 8.5% from those months the prior year.

Jetport Director Paul Bradbury attributed the increase to improved economic conditions, leading to increased tourism in the state.

“You have a bit more discretionary money available and people are willing to have a summer vacation this year,” Bradbury told the newspaper.

Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded $1.2 million to BIA and $2.5 million to the Portland jetport. The airports said the would use the funds to rehabilitate their runway pavement.

Feds give more than $4M to Maine airports