BANGOR – Halifax (Nova Scotia) International Airport’s offer to work cooperatively in several areas of mutual economic interest received good reviews Friday from the Bangor committee designated to examine the issue.

“I am pleased because Halifax has really responded to signals we’ve been sending and has responded positively,” Joseph Baldacci, chairman of the Special Committee on Halifax Pre-clearance, said during a committee meeting.

The offer is aimed at enlisting Bangor’s support for HIA’s bid to get authorization to provide some “preclearance” passenger services now provided by BIA, a move Bangor officials so far have resisted.

Reg K. Milley, HIA president and chief executive officer, asked in a July 29 letter to identify areas of cooperation between the two airports.

The special committee was appointed in April by the Bangor City Council to study the pros and cons of HIA’s desire to get into the preclearance business.

“I have long believed that [the two airports] could reach a mutually beneficial alliance that would capitalize on the growing integration of the region to which Halifax and Bangor belong and would enable [both] to take advantage of rapidly changing opportunities in this dynamic field,” Milley wrote.

Milley’s list included:

. Joint air service development and marketing initiatives in the passenger and cargo sectors.

. A collaboration on developing and attracting seasonal services to and from Europe or “sun-spot” destinations, such as Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean.

. Trade show and industry event cooperation.

. Development and promotion of trade, tourism and business partnerships.

At issue are preclearance services. BIA is one of a select group of airports authorized to provide preclearance services, which allow passengers in other countries to clear U.S. Customs and U.S. Immigration before flying into the United States.

Halifax wants to service “originating” preclearance passengers, or those whose flights originate at its airport. It recently filed an application with the U.S. government seeking that authority.

BIA’s priority is to protect its services to “in-transit” preclearance passengers, or those who originate in a different country and stop at the preclearance airport before proceeding to a U.S. destination.

Bangor attorney Timothy Woodcock, representing Halifax, said Friday that HIA is willing to confirm in writing that it won’t pursue “in-transit” preclearance.

As Bangor officials have long seen it, being the first U.S. entry point for incoming international flights from Europe is an important asset for BIA, as well as a competitive edge.

They also have acknowledged a need to proceed with a measure of tact because of the region’s desire to strengthen trade connections with Canada’s Maritime Provinces.

Though the Halifax airport doesn’t need Bangor’s blessing to apply, it is important as a practical matter.

The final decision lies with Congress, which will look to its Maine members for direction, committee members noted during the meeting. Maine’s congressional delegation historically has heeded Bangor’s requests and recommendations when it comes to BIA matters.

The preclearance committee is slated to wrap up its work at the end of August, though an extension might be needed, Baldacci said.

He has written to the congressional delegation citing remaining concerns, such as the possibility that allowing Halifax to screen some U.S.-bound passengers might divert personnel from U.S. airports to Canada, and for answers to several questions.

During Friday’s meeting, Baldacci recommended and the committee agreed that the Bangor council be asked to appoint a negotiating team to take talks to the next level.

An HIA delegation is expected to be in the area for a trade event in late August and hopes to meet with the preclearance panel at that time.