Ruth Haines
Maine has several airports, including six major airports and 49 smaller airports, as well as 24 seaplane bases. The state's biggest airport, Portland International Jetport, is located two miles west of Portland in the southern part of the state. Bangor International Airport is Maine's second-biggest airport, offering flights to several destinations across the US, including New York, Washington, and Chicago. The Northern Maine Regional Airport is another notable airport, featuring the second-longest commercial runway in the state. Other airports in Maine include Houlton International Airport, Presque Isle International Airport, and Princeton Municipal Airport.
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What You'll Learn
Bangor International Airport
The airport was previously known as Dow Air Force Base, and it remains home to the 101st Air Refueling Wing of the Maine Air National Guard. While most of the Air Force's aircraft and personnel departed in the 1960s, the airport has continued to thrive due to its strategic location on major air corridors between Europe and the East Coast of the United States.
The history of Bangor International Airport dates back to 1921 when it was known as Godfrey Field, located on land owned by local attorney Edward Rawson Godfrey. In 1923, the airport witnessed a notable event when almost the entire U.S. Army Air Corps, comprising 15 Martin Bombers and 11 DeHaviland Scout Planes, landed there during a practice mission. In the 1950s and 1960s, the airport was a popular destination for Northeast Airlines, and it has since attracted various commercial flights, including charter jetliners connecting Europe with the West Coast of the United States and other destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico.
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Portland International Jetport
In 2001, the airport faced challenges following the September 11 terrorist attacks, which led to a reduction in flights and a shift towards smaller aircraft. Despite these setbacks, the airport continued to expand and improve its infrastructure. In 2009, international service resumed, with Starlink Aviation offering flights to Halifax and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The airport also constructed an official plane-spotting area, allowing enthusiasts to observe flight activities safely.
In 2010, PWM underwent a major expansion of its terminal, with improvements to check-in and security areas, as well as road and parking reconfigurations. The $75 million project, designed by Gensler and built by Turner Construction, opened to the public on October 2, 2011. Unfortunately, Air Canada pulled out of Portland in 2013, leaving the airport without scheduled international service once again.
Overall, Portland International Jetport plays a crucial role in air travel in Maine, offering both domestic and international connections. The airport has faced challenges and triumphs over the years, continually adapting to meet the needs of passengers and enthusiasts alike.
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Northern Maine Regional Airport
During World War II, Clark Gable was briefly stationed at Presque Isle before being deployed to England. The airport became a vital air transport installation, and operations during this period were described by Ernest K. Gann in his book, 'Fate Is the Hunter'. In 1961, the United States Air Force closed the Presque Isle Air Force Base, and the site was redeveloped. One side became Northern Maine Community College, and the other portion became Northern Maine Regional Airport.
In 2008, the Federal Aviation Administration recorded 13,385 passenger boardings at the airport, increasing to 13,513 in 2009 and 15,052 in 2010. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011-2015 categorised it as a primary commercial service airport, defined as having more than 10,000 enplanements per year. In 2022, the airport recorded 7,388 aircraft operations, averaging 20 per day, including general aviation, airline, air taxi, and military flights.
Presque Isle International Airport has seen several incidents over the years. In 2017, a Cessna 421 engine caught fire after takeoff, resulting in minor injuries. In 2019, a CommutAir Flight operating for United Express missed the runway due to heavy snow, injuring five. In 1944, a Douglas C-54 crashed after takeoff during a training flight, resulting in three fatalities. Despite these incidents, the airport has undergone upgrades and improvements, attracting businesses and contributing significantly to the local and regional economy.
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Houlton International Airport
Bangor International Airport is Maine's primary connection to the rest of the world, offering flights to several destinations across the United States. However, there are several other airports in the state, including Houlton International Airport, which is the focus of this response.
The airport is publicly owned by the town of Houlton and serves as a general aviation facility. It was once known as the Houlton Army Air Base, playing a unique role in World War II. American army pilots, maintaining the United States' position of neutrality, could not fly their planes directly into Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth. Local farmers used their tractors to tow the planes across the border, and the Canadians closed the Woodstock highway to allow its use as a runway. From October 1944 to May 1946, the air base was also the site of Camp Houlton, a prisoner-of-war camp.
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Presque Isle International Airport
The airport covers 1,489 acres of land at an elevation of 534 feet. It features two asphalt runways: 1/19, which is 7,441 feet long and 150 feet wide, and 10/28, which is 6,000 feet long and 100 feet wide. Presque Isle International Airport had 7,388 aircraft operations in the year ending August 31, 2022, with an average of 20 operations per day. The breakdown of these operations included 34% general aviation, 16% airline, 49% air taxi, and less than 1% military. As of August 2022, 18 aircraft were based at the airport, including 16 single-engine planes, one multi-engine plane, and one jet.
The airport has a history of incidents, including a Cessna 421 engine fire in 2017, a CommutAir Flight 4933 accident in 2019, and a 1944 crash of a USAAF Douglas C-54 during a local training flight. Despite these incidents, Presque Isle International Airport remains a vital gateway to Northern Maine, offering convenient access to the region's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
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Frequently asked questions
Maine has six major airports, including Bangor International Airport, Portland International Jetport, Northern Maine Regional Airport, Houlton International Airport, Presque Isle International Airport, and Princeton Municipal Airport.
Portland International Jetport is Maine's biggest airport.
Bangor International Airport is Maine's connection to the world and is the second-biggest airport in the state.
In addition to the six major airports, there are 49 smaller airports and 24 seaplane bases in Maine, including Medway Road Millinocket, Airport Road Frenchville, Airport Road Norridgewock, and Northern Aroostook Regional Airport.
Portland International Jetport has a nice selection of amenities for travellers, including food and drinks, ATMs, Wi-Fi, a Ground Transportation Booth, and car rental services.
