BIA secures $310,000 federal development grant

BANGOR – U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced a grant of $310,000 Thursday to help Bangor International Airport enhance its airline service.

Bangor was one of 35 communities selected in 34 states and Puerto Rico for grant awards under the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program. A total of $19.85 million was awarded nationwide.

BIA plans to use its grant award to secure low-fare air service at its airport, as well as to improve the marketing of the airport. In addition to the federal grant, the community will contribute $50,000 to its project.

BIA Director Rebecca Hupp said the airport will use the money to attract air service to new destinations, and to conduct an economic analysis of the market to determine the feasibility of routes.

“If we recruit new services, we’ll have money to promote those services,” Hupp said. “The hope is as we bring in additional service, the more competitive the environment will be and the lower prices will be.”

Hupp said the funds also will be used to attract a low-fare regional carrier to BIA. Jet Blue and Atlantic Coast Air both recently announced they will start low-fare regional airlines in the next few years. “That type of service would be a good fit for the Bangor market,” Hupp said.

The Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program was authorized by the 2000 Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century to help communities address their local air service problems, such as high fares and insufficient levels of service. Last year the U.S. Department of Transportation issued the first grants under the program, providing $20 million to 40 projects in 38 states.