Press Releases

Pingree praises federal program that connects rural airports to national network

Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced that Cape Air has been reselected to provide Essential Air Service from Augusta and Rockland airports to Boston Logan International Airport. Starting Nov. 1, the agreement covers the next four years and ensures daily passenger service at these airports by subsidizing flights.

“Essential Air Service is a critical program for a state like Maine because it keeps our small airports connected to therest of the nation. To keep these airports vital and valuable to the state’s economy, it’s important that they have regular flights,” said Pingree. “I’m glad that Cape Air will continue operations at these airports and that Mainers can keep relying on this important service.”

When airlines were deregulated in the late 1970s, rural communities were concerned they would lose air service becausecarriers were no longer required to provide regular flights to them. The federal Essential Air Service program was created to address these concerns by subsidizing roundtrip flights from small airports to larger hubs.

The subsidies for Augusta and Rockland airports will be close to $2 million each for the next four years. At Augusta, Cape Air will provide 21 weekly roundtrips November to May, and 28 the rest of the year. In Rockland, therewill 21 weekly trips in the winter, 28 in the spring, 42 in the summer, and 28 in the fall.

All service will be provided using nine-passenger Cessna 402 aircraft.