Modern Aviation seeks five-year Bar Harbor lease extension tied to more than $1 million in upgrades

ELLWORTH, Maine — Modern Aviation Bar Harbor asked Hancock County commissioners on March 17 for a five-year extension of its lease at Bar Harbor Airport, saying the extra term would support amortizing more than $1 million in planned facility improvements.

General Manager Travis Higgins described proposed renovations to customer-facing areas, added square footage, upgrades to make spaces ADA compliant, and a transition to a high-efficiency HVAC system intended to improve energy performance. Higgins said the company plans to use local contractors, update and modernize equipment, add new services and jobs, and upgrade ramp access for security purposes. Modern Aviation executives Mark Carmen (CEO), Richard Layson (COO) and Robert McAdams (regional vice president) joined via Zoom.

Airport Manager Leroy Muise pressed commissioners about Modern Aviation's recent fee increases, saying the operator's fee schedule had risen 134% over the past three years and warning that that level of increase could affect the airport's image. Modern Aviation representatives responded that rates vary significantly by season, that peak-season fees are higher and off-season rates are much lower, and that the operator maintains full-time staff and benefits despite seasonal revenue fluctuations.

Commissioners did not vote on a lease change. Instead, they asked Leroy Muise and Modern Aviation to develop a list of objectives and a timeline for the planned improvements; when the county and the operator reach mutual agreement on those deliverables, the commission said it would consider a lease extension.

Next steps: airport staff and Modern Aviation will return with a mutually agreed objectives list and timeline for commissioners' consideration.