PRESQUE ISLE – Traveling to and from Boston by air will soon be easier for some Presque Isle residents.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has signed a two-year contract with US Airways to resume flight service to the northern Maine city.

The airline will replace the current service by Continental Express.

Pan Am hopes Allentown stop will shorten time to Orlando. See Page A5.

The deal, which was completed last week, calls for three round-trip flights to Boston during the week and four on weekends.

“The introduction of larger planes and better connecting service will substantially improve service for the people of Aroostook County,” said Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Democratic Rep. John Baldacci in a joint statement.

Air service will be provided by Colgan Air, which is operated by US Airways.

The airline will use 35-seat planes, which will carry more passengers than Continental’s current 19-seat planes. Service is expected to begin in a few months.