BANGOR – We all make mistakes, but the airport’s new radio advertisements warn area travelers that flying should not be one of them.

Bangor International Airport’s new print ads list the facility’s attractions, such as Bangor’s location and 24-hour Customs and Border Protection clearance, while a proposed Web site will be home to bold Maine-themed pictures.

All three are part of BIA’s new marketing strategy to encourage area travelers to skip the drive to other airports and land in their own backyard. Airport officials presented the new materials to the City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting on Tuesday night, which, barring slight tweaks, were well-received.

“I believe we have made a quantum leap forward from last year,” said Councilor Gerry Palmer, as he praised the efforts of Risteen Masters, BIA’s marketing manager, who has been on staff for a year.

BIA hired Paradise Advertising and Marketing of St. Petersburg, Fla., in late October and has worked with staff to design the new commercials and publications. The radio messages have been on the air for about three weeks now, in both northern and eastern Maine, and in New Brunswick, Masters said. One radio ad was designed for Canadian travelers, and a second with Maine fliers as the target audience.

The new print ads have appeared in publications, such as Professional Pilots, since January and will continue to be seen. Meanwhile, it will be another eight weeks before the launch of the revamped Web site, but the end result will be attractive and user-friendly, Masters said.

“It is clean, a very fresh looking site and it will give corporate and military travelers the information that they need,” she said.

Also during the meeting:

. Airport Director Rebecca Hupp gave an overview of a terminal building renovation and construction project that will add a second story to the Gate 1 area, making the whole airport two levels. Renovations would include installing a restroom beyond security screening locations. Construction is pegged to begin in June and end in December.

. Hupp said she expects a projected profit of nearly $2 million in fiscal year 2008. She said she hopes to put half of the revenues into capital improvements and the other half into airport reserve accounts.

. The airport intends to partner with the Four Points Sheraton to provide free wi-fi service to passengers in the terminal.

trobbins@bangordailynews.net

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