PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Presque Isle’s Airport Advisory Committee voted 7-1 Monday to continue contracted service with United Airlines despite offers from three other carriers.
The decision came after a lengthy meeting that included a live-streamed presentation from JetBlue and an in-person address from United representatives. American Airlines and commuter company Boutique Air also submitted bids but did not make presentations.
Six years ago, Presque Isle voted to switch from PenAir to United. For about a month it had no service at all after PenAir abruptly left. Few airlines wanted to connect to a small airport in vast, rural Aroostook County where only one carrier is needed to meet the demand. The fact that three major airlines have now bid to offer services is significant, the city’s airline analyst said.
“Not many communities have the choices you have right now,” said Jack Penning of Volaire Aviation Consulting. “I worked here for 15 years. We…
