Bangor airport proposes $124M in improvements in coming years

An illustration shows a large hall with people in it.

Rendering / Courtesy Bangor International Airport A proposed checkpoint redesign would relieve congestion.

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Following on recent upgrades to a runway, plans are in the works for an additional $124 million in improvements at Bangor International Airport.

The airport is advancing several key capital initiatives as part of its long-term development plan, Jose Saavedra, the airport’s director, told the city’s business and economic development committee at its recent meeting.

Highlights for the five-year plan include relocation and expansion of the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, with a redesigned layout to relieve congestion, improve flow and support future growth.

Plans also call for replacing asphalt on key taxiways, relocating the "fuel farm" and consolidating the rental-car facility.

The airport leadership team recently met with the Federal Aviation Administration to review the initiatives and explore federal funding opportunities, which will be critical to advancing them on schedule, Saavedra said.

The discussion came as the airport was wrapping up a $47 million runway rehabilitation project, supported by nearly $45 million in federal funds, and preparing a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Details of the event are still being finalized.

“The next few years are heavy in capital development at the airport,” Saavedra said.

Checkpoint

Expansion and redesign of the terminal’s security checkpoint is needed, he said, because the existing checkpoint was designed for lower traffic levels. The current layout creates congestion, long lines and inefficiencies; and security demands have evolved with staffing and technology requirements.

Goals include increasing capacity and flow, enhancing passenger experience, improving TSA operations and throughput and supporting future passenger and airline growth, he said. A redesign is in the works.

A TSA checkpoint upgrade is expected to cost $16.5 million

Other projected costs would cover relocation of the fuel facility ($25 million) and central heating upgrades ($15.1 million).

For now, the estimated total cost of the airport work would be $123.7 million. But the cost could go up if construction expenses change, Saavedra noted.

Taxiways

Taxiway rehabilitation is likely a multiyear project as funds become available, he said. The cost is estimated to total $21 million.

“It’s going to be a large infrastructure investment that we’ll have to develop over the next few years,” he said.

Cores extracted from the taxiways show the quality of the pavement is in rough shape, he said.

The improvement plan comes as the airport is seeing unprecedented growth, Saavedera said. Passenger traffic at the airport has increased significantly — more than 30% in the last five years.

“I think over the next five years we’re looking at a tremendous amount of activity that will likely set up the airport for the future,” he said.

Saavedra is a 2025 Mainebiz 40 Under 40 honoree.

The airport’s financial outlook is positive, showing that revenue is outpacing expenses this year by roughly $500,000.

The airport has 15 destinations served by five airlines. Since 2015, departures increased by 42% and seat capacity rose by 84%.