The Presque Isle International Airport broke a November record for passenger boardings, airport officials said.
A total of 1,739 people boarded flights at the airport last month, Airport Director Scott Wardwell said.
PQI has just finished its first three months with new Essential Air Services provider JetBlue after six years with United Airlines. The U.S. Department of Transportation in June named JetBlue to serve the region, a decision that brought mixed opinions from city boards and residents. Passenger numbers are critical as the airport prepares to break ground on its $52 million new terminal project.
“PQI boarded more passengers this November than any other November this century,” Wardwell said. “In October 2024, we boarded 10 fewer passengers than in October 2023.”
Passenger boardings were 1,587 in September and 1,968 in October, Wardwell said. November’s total brings the number to 5,294.
September saw 144 fewer boardings than the previous year, partly because on one day that month no flights occurred, Wardwell said.
In 2023, the airport boarded 1,731 in September, 1,978 in October and 1,701 in November, totaling 5,410 for the three-month period, he said. The airport served 19,254 passengers last year, the largest number since the year 2000.
Passengers totaled more than 15,000 in 2022, which at that time was the highest since 2007, according to a report from Kim Smith, Presque Isle’s resource development and public information officer.
It is early in JetBlue’s local history, but so far they have not canceled any flights, Wardwell said.
Presque Isle International Airport is covered by the federal Essential Air Services program, which provides subsidies to airlines to cover certain, often smaller and remote, regions.
The U.S. Department of Transportation made the final choice on who would serve Presque Isle, but local opinion had been divided starting in March, when the Airport Advisory Board favored staying with United and the city council supported JetBlue.
JetBlue flew its inaugural flight to Presque Isle on Sept. 5. PQI’s major destination changed from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Boston’s Logan International. JetBlue uses 100-passenger jets, twice the size of United’s planes, and sometime in its two-year contract is expected to transition to 140-passenger aircraft.
Presque Isle unveiled plans last year for a new terminal to replace the nearly 70-year-old building that was a former military fire station. Costs are projected at approximately $30 million for the building and $22 million for associated groundwork, utilities and paving.
Presque Isle city councilors approved some of the construction bids last month and work is slated to begin in spring 2025.
