Lewiston airport director flags FAA obligations, deferred maintenance and staffing shifts in budget briefing
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Summary
Airport Director Jonathan Labonte told the council the airport has nearly tripled based aircraft but still faces FAA follow‑ups — including clearing nearly 3,000 trees from approach surfaces, updating property maps and fixing Hangar 5 — and urged coordinated capital planning with both sponsoring cities.
Airport Director Jonathan Labonte told the Lewiston council the facility has made operational gains but still faces notable FAA requirements and capital needs that are not fully funded in the proposed budget.
Labonte said the number of aircraft based at the airport has risen to “just short of a 110 aircraft,” and described recent work to resolve FAA compliance findings. “We actually have more aircraft based here at Lewiston, than Augusta, Brunswick, and the Oxford County Airport combined,” he said, outlining growth in flight schools, maintenance businesses and private aviation activity.
He warned the council that the airport’s exhibit A (property map) has not been properly maintained for decades and the FAA expects it to be corrected in the next fiscal year. “That could require expensive title work and expensive survey work,” Labonte said, adding the airport does not have budgeted funds to complete that task and will seek creative solutions.
Labonte also flagged nearly 3,000 trees that now penetrate runway approach surfaces; he said the FAA has given the airport through 2030 to remove the obstructions. He said wildlife management, fence repairs and snow‑and‑ice control are additional unfunded pressure points in the operating budget.
Councilors asked about Hangar 5, the former Lufthansa hangar, which Labonte confirmed “remains a challenge” and is losing money; the airport is seeking an operator. Labonte urged the two sponsoring cities to include the airport’s five‑year capital program in their capital improvement plans and to consider shared long‑term capital commitments before the FAA scrutinizes sponsor commitment.
Labonte recommended that councilors and staff visit the airport and review the new master plan to better understand the capital and operational strategy. Director Roy told the council the airport is not seeking additional local operating funds in the current cycle but submitted a five‑year capital program in November.
