Presque Isle airport gets $600K grant to upgrade for larger planes

The Presque Isle International Airport will use a $611,647 Department of Transportation grant to upgrade its paved terminal area in preparation for larger jet service.

The airport announced its plans a year ago for a new, two-story, $30 million terminal . A 135,000-square-foot apron — the paved space where airplanes park, load and unload — is part of the project.

The new terminal will serve more passengers and, combined with larger aircraft, stands to draw more people and businesses to the area. Passenger numbers are already expected to grow when JetBlue starts service in September, using jets double the size of United Airlines’ planes. The grant will aid construction of a paved apron for the new facility.

The money comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program . The award was announced July 15 by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King.

“Maine’s regional airports play an important role in our state’s transportation network, connecting people and businesses with communities throughout the state,” the senators said in a joint statement. “This grant will support the expansion of Presque Isle International Airport’s capacity for scheduled commercial flights while also creating economic opportunities throughout the state.”

The grant is divided into two parts. $481,117 is allocated for the design of the apron, and $130,530 for a pavement management plan and a survey of surface conditions.

Airport officials reported in December that construction could start this summer on facets of the terminal project.

The airport sought bids for the apron construction earlier this year. The work will include excavation, concrete and asphalt pavement, drainage, lighting, signs and pavement markings, according to the advertisement on the city of Presque Isle website.

PQI is also readying for new service with JetBlue, which the U.S. Department of Transportation chose as its Essential Air Services provider last month .

JetBlue will start flying between Presque Isle and Boston’s Logan International Airport on Sept. 5, using 100-passenger Embraer jets the first year of its two-year contract, and plans to use 140-passenger Airbus planes the second year.

Presque Isle officials said last month that an addition to the existing terminal will add 38 seats to meet requirements for the larger passenger load.

PQI falls under the federal Essential Air Service designation, which ensures regular flights out of remote locations. Contracts typically last two years. United Airlines has served the airport since 2018, coming in after Alaskan-based PenAir departed prematurely and left Presque Isle without service for a month.

The DOT’s decision was not without controversy. Though Presque Isle’s Airport Advisory Committee recommended sticking with United, the city council favored JetBlue. United Airlines has asked the DOT to reconsider.

The airport has nearly doubled its use over the last eight years. In 2016, 10,900 passengers boarded. Following pandemic recovery, boardings were 19,254 in 2023, the highest number in more than two decades, city officials said in March.