PQI: A full-service airport
IN THE CITY
by Scott Wardwell
It is surprising how many members of the general public do not know the full range of services offered at the Northern Maine Regional Airport (PQI). We receive calls on almost a daily basis with inquires. Many are often surprised as to the large number of services that are available at their local airport.
For the general public the cornerstone of the airport is the airline service. At PQI we are served by PenAir. Monday through Friday, we have three fights per day directly to and from Boston. On the weekend, there are two flights per day.
US Airways offers direct flights from Boston to many of the large cities on the East Coast. In many cases the passenger making connections on US Airways in Boston only has to go through security in Presque Isle. PenAir also maintains interline agreements with United Airlines and Delta Airlines offering additional non-stop destinations out of Boston. However at the present time to connect on these two airlines, the passenger must change terminals in Boston and pass back through security.
This is temporary as Boston Logan is undertaking a construction project which will bring US Airways, American, Spirit, Virgin America and United together in Terminal B. This project is expected to be completed in 2014.
The aircraft used between Boston and Presque Isle is a SAAB 340 which is a 34-seat turbo prop aircraft. The SAAB 340 aircraft is equipped with a lavatory. The three-person crew includes a flight attendant to assist passengers during the flight. Best of all is the flight between Presque Isle and Boston is only 1 hour and 20 minutes. In the time it takes to drive halfway to Bangor, you can be at Boston Logan which by far has the largest number of flights as any airport in New England.
Additional services include a wide range of rental car options, charter, air cargo shipment, aircraft hangaring, fueling, deicing and U.S. Customs. These additional services truly make PQI a full-service airport. Both on-airport and off-airport car rental agencies service PQI. Ace is our newest addition to the terminal. Previously it was operated as an off-site location. The Avis and Budget agencies are also located right in the airport. EZ-Auto provides shuttle service from the airport to their off-site location.
The charter customer can use several Maine-based operators. Both FEDEX and UPS use the airport to move packages in and out of the region by air. U.S. Customs services for international arrivals are provided on a 24/7 basis. As PQI is the closest U.S. commercial airport to Europe, Customs services are an integral part of our long-term growth plans.
For a community the size of Presque Isle, we are truly fortunate to have an airport with this large number of services.
Scott Wardwell is airport director for the city of Presque Isle’s Northern Maine Regional Airport. He can be reached at 764-2550 or via e-mail at scottw@flypresqueisle.com.
