PQI airport a convenient option
IN THE CITY
by Scott Wardwell
As we move into Spring, it is time to reflect on the results of the winter operations at the airport.
While it has been a relatively average winter in Northern Maine, the rest of the Northeast has experienced more severe winter conditions than usual. As weather patterns have changed, the storm tracks seem to be delivering more severe weather to our neighbors to the south. This has significantly impacted the on-time performance at the large hub airports in the Northeast. The traffic backups at these large airports, eventually result in delays and cancellations at the Northern Maine Regional Airport (PQI). However, relative to other Maine Airports, the on time performance at PQI has been quite good.
Over the last couple of years, on-time statistics have become readily available. There are several websites that travelers can use to find the airports and flights with the best on time performance. I just completed a review of the data on just one such site for the period from Feb. 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011. Overall, it clearly showed that airline travelers who may have driven to the two largest Maine airports in hopes of avoiding delays actually experienced more. In fact when compared to the two largest Maine Airports, PQI’s on time performance rate of 72 percent was 12 percentage points higher than one and 3 percentage points higher than the other. PQI was also tied for lowest cancellation rate in the state. Both Presque Isle and Portland had an 8 percent cancellation rate. The four other Maine Airports with passenger service were in the double digits for a cancellation rate.
While some may be appalled by these low rates for Maine Airports, PQI’s on time performance is only two points lower than the average of 74 percent for the five legacy carriers American, Continental, Delta, US Airways and United. The low cost carriers Southwest and Jet Blue actually fared worse with an on time performance rate of 65 percent and 66 percent respectively. It is understandable that for the period studied that Maine Airports would be lower due to winter weather conditions.
Once again the data seems to indicate that PQI is still a very convenient option for the air traveler in northern Maine and New Brunswick.
Scott Wardwell is Presque Isle’s airport director. He can be reached at 764-2550 or via e-mail at admin@FlyPresqueIsle.com.
