Airport breaks its own record with July’s international flights

Bangor International Airport handled more international charter flights during July than in any previous month.

“The 544 flights was an all-time record,” Peter D’Errico, airport manager, said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. The previous record of 505 was set in July 1989.

A large measure of the airport’s success can be pegged on the caliber of its employees, D’Errico said. “Like any successful organiztion, it’s the people that make it work so well.”

The press conference served as a forum for one international charter carrier, Caledonian Airways, to recognize a BIA employee for service above and beyond the call of duty.

From April to October, Caledonian sends about 20 flights a week through BIA. “We find Bangor is an ideal spot,” said Alan Mison, the company liaison stationed in Bangor. “The service we’ve been getting is excellent.”

And he said that Robert Arsenault did some excellent work on one of the aircraft recently. He performed extraordinarily in unclogging a couple of toilets, working until the job was finished.

“I’m giving this commendation directly to Bob,” Mison said, “But I’m sure he’ll convey to his compatriots our appreciation for the excellent work they’ve given us.”

Arsenault, who has worked at BIA for 12 years, said the crew of heavy aircraft mechanics works well together and is dedicated. Among them, they have the licenses to work on just about everything that operates commercially today, he added.

While the employees have contributed to the success that BIA has enjoyed in the international market, D’Errico said that Robert Ziegelaar, who handles sales and marketing for the airport, has targeted this segment of the business and been able to attract business.

Business has been booming. The books are not closed on fiscal year 1990, but D’Errico said the airport made a profit of $4 million through the first 11 months.

The flying industry is very cyclical, said D’Errico, who has seen a couple of swings during his 20 years at BIA.

“Right now we’re on an upswing,” he said. The volume of international traffic has taken off, and the level of domestic traffic has grown steadily.

Consequently, he said the facility is near saturation, approaching its capacity to handle the traffic.

“We’re going to present the (Bangor City) Council with an architecture firm and expand the international and domestic terminals,” he said.