Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – It’s official. A new air service, New England Air Transport, is now available, with flights scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays now connecting the St. John Valley to Portland.
The new service touched down recently at the Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle, the largest airport north of Bangor. Airport Manager Scott Wardwell, joined by local dignitaries, welcomed NEAT upon arrival.
“The event simply was to get the word out about the new service. We had people from the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce, the Airport Advisory Committee and airport management team on hand. It was to give people a chance to look at the new aircraft,” said Wardwell.
NEAT arrived in a Piper Chieftan, which can seat seven comfortably. Intrastate air service began twice a week in late September.
The airline is operated out of the St. John Valley. David A. Fernald Sr. serves as company president and has a background in airport management.
David A. Fernald Jr., who has been flying in Maine since 2001 and holds a commercial pilot certificate with instrument and multi-engine ratings, is chief pilot. He also is a certified flight instructor in single- and multi-engine aircraft.
Business partner and aircraft owner Jim Thibodeau rounds out the team. He’s held a private pilot certificate since the 1970s.
Wardwell was pleased with the Oct. 2 event.
“The flight took off with three passengers around 4:15 p.m. I would say that having three passengers is a great start,” said Wardwell.
Wardwell sees this as a positive opportunity to try the Portland market again.
“The new service gives us an opportunity to try the Portland service again with a very different approach. This flight was attempted just shortly after I came (to the position of airport manager) in 2003. However, it was done with a much larger aircraft – a Beech 1900,” said Wardwell.
Part of the problem, according to Wardwell, was where the flight was headquartered at that time.
“The aircraft was based in Portland. We did get some complaints that by the time the aircraft flew up from Portland in the morning and got County passengers back to Portland, that it simply did not give them enough time (to do whatever it was they needed to do in southern Maine),” Wardwell explained.
Wardwell believes NEAT will eventually add stops in Augusta as well. A check of the company Web site listed Augusta as one of the planned stops for the scheduled flights.
“A stop in Augusta would be great as well,” said Wardwell.
Fares are listed online, with round-trip and one-way options available. Prices also vary depending on how far in advance tickets are purchased.
For more information, including time of flights and ticket prices, visit www.flyneat.com, or contact Fernald Sr. at 436-1379 or e-mail dafernald@flyneat.com.
Fernald Sr., in an online statement, said he recognizes the importance of good customer service.
“We understand that high marks for quality service by our clients is earned. We will never compromise in our commitment to serve you,” stated Fernald Sr. “Our service, while based in northern Maine, is available not only to those in Aroostook County, but also to travelers who may fly from areas in southern Maine to northern Maine. As market opportunities arise, we expect to begin serving client throughout eastern Canada in the future.”
Photo courtesy of Scott Wardwell
A NEAT PIPER CHIEFTAN sits ready for passengers to board during one of its first flights to Presque Isle recently.
Photo courtesy of Scott Wardwell
THERESA FOWLER, executive director of the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce, was one of several local officials on hand to check out the newest air service to the Star City, New England Air Transport (NEAT).
