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Airport director says passenger traffic held up during runway work; connector project aims to unlock more capacity
Summary
Airport Director Jose Saavedra told the Business and Economic Development Committee that Bangor’s airport posted strong 2024 passenger numbers despite runway construction that closed operations for about a month, and that a planned ~$50 million connector project would allow use of the international facility to expand domestic capacity.
Airport Director Jose Saavedra told the Business and Economic Development Committee that an end‑of‑year report shows passenger traffic remained strong in 2024 despite disruptions from runway construction.
Saavedra said the airport was effectively closed for about a month during the second year of runway work but still posted strong calendar‑year passenger figures. He urged lawmakers to treat 2026 as the baseline year for forecasting, once most runway work is complete and airlines increase service.
The director described the airport’s revenue mix, saying military operations account for a large share of income and general aviation/FBO operations and commercial passenger service are also key revenue streams. He listed several ways the airport can grow service, including up‑gauging to larger aircraft, adding frequency and expanding seasonal routes.
Saavedra noted a planned connector project — an expansion he described as “close to $50,000,000” — that would link the terminals and enable more flexible use of the airport’s international facility for domestic flights. He said that would increase the airport’s ability to accommodate additional flights and passenger volume.
Committee members pressed Saavedra on constraints such as staffing, capital needs and governance. Saavedra said the airport operates as an enterprise fund, generating revenue to cover its expenses, and that expansion choices depend on council direction and resource allocation. He estimated direct airport employment at roughly 130 people and said the airport supports about 2,000 jobs on site through tenant operations.
Several councilors asked whether the airport should consider a formal oversight structure such as a commission or an authority to facilitate development. Saavedra said he would need direction and clarified the difference between making policy decisions (a council role) and executing them (staff role).
The committee did not take formal action on airport governance or capital decisions at the meeting. Saavedra offered to return to the committee with more detail on policy‑related constraints and opportunities.
