OLYMPIA J. SNOWE MAI"•JE 

COM~.I[!f!US: 

COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND 

TRANSPORTATION 1S4 RcssnL SE~ATE Orne~: 8:JtLIJtNG 

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AUBURN 

DE.PUTY WHIP FINANCE 

WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1903 INTELLIGENCE 

November 29,2011 RANKING MEMBER, SMALL BUSINESS 

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

Secretary 

United States Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey A venue Southeast 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

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I write to you today regarding the Essential Air Service program, of which you have b~ a 

champion and vocal advocate -- I know you agree that rural passengers deserve equal access to 

our nation's air transportation network. As such, I urge you to consider passenger access to 

major hubs as you exercise your discretion to waive the 15-passenger requirement for Essential 

Air Service. It is critically important that airports located more than 200 air-nautical miles from 

medium or large hubs have service provided by aircraft that have the appropriate range, 

passenger amenities, and safety equipment to directly connect rural communities with hubs that 

provide direct service to common destinations. 

As you know the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012 

-- il1C1ud:ed alegislativeprovlsionstrikillg-the requirement that aircraft used to prov1c1eEssenti.ai 

Air Service have a 15-passenger capacity. Two airports in my state are currently requesting bids 

for service to replace a carrier held into service by DOT order, and I am concerned that bids for 

service to Presque Isle will result in the selection of a carrier providing service incompatible with 

the needs of the community. Both the airport's manager and community residents have 

expressed serious concerns for the service that could be provided by smaller aircraft as allowed 

by the appropriations bilL In determining a carrier to serve the Presque Isle market, the selection 

of a carrier with appropriate aircraft for the distance and severe winter weather conditions is 

essential. Any selected carrier must have equipment, including appropriate on-board deicing 

systems designed to provide reliable service in the extreme cold of Maine's winters. 

Efficient air service for Presque Isle and the communities of Aroostook County serves as a 

critical link to tourism, recreation, and business. For communities more than 200 air nautical 

miles from a large hub airport, use of a 15"passenger aircraft is an essential element in 

connecting rural communities to the air transportation network. I am concerned that the 

communities most in need of service guarantees will be cut off from the air transportation 

network as a result of this change. Service provided by a smaller aircraft would require 

AUGUSTA BANGOR 81DDFFORD PORTLAND PRESQUE ISLE 

Two GREAT FAu s PLAZA 

SUITE 7B 

40 WESTERN AVENUE, SUITE 408C 

AUGUSTA, ME 04330 

202 HARLOW STREEr, SUITE 214 

BANGOR, ME 04401 

22l MAIN STREET 

BtoDHDRD, ME 04005 

(207) 282-4144 

3 CANAL PLAZA, SUITE 601 

PORTlAND, ME 04101 

(207) 874-\)883 

169 ACADEMY STREET, SUITE 3 

PRESQUE ISLE, ME 04769 

AUBURN, ME 04210 (207) 764-5124 

(2071 786-2451 

(207) 622-8292 (207) 945--0432 

IN MAINE CALL TOLL-FREE Hl00-432-1599 

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 

MAiNE RELAY SEAVICE 

TOO 1-955--3323 
additional stops and delays and make transportation to these areas more challenging. Air service 

to Presque Isle that requires an intermediary stop would cause unnecessary delay, and further 

inhibit the ability of visitors and business people to access the area. Uncomplicated access to the 

community by air truly makes a difference between investment in the region and the 

abandonment of our rural areas. 

The closest commercial airport to Presque Isle is in Bangor, Maine, more than 150 miles away, 

much of which is on a two-Jane undivided highway. Travel for business or tourism would be 

severely impacted by a reduction in direct flights to a major hub. Critical economic activity 

including the timely repair of highly technical lumber and agricultural equipment would be 

delayed by any reduction in service caused by increasing the number of stops on a flight to the 

area. This includes access to the former Loring Air Force Base, and redevelopment activities 

centered in the region. In addition, access to border crossings maintained by the Federal 

Government would be more difficult. The region served by Presque Isle Regional Airport, 

Aroostook County, is over 6,000 square miles and travel within its borders is long and arduous, 

particularly during the winter months. The ability to fly directly into the community enables 

professional, business, and recreational traveler to continue to bring vitality and versatility to the 

most rural regions of Maine. 

Finally, dozens of community members and businesses have responded to the airport's market 

survey, and additional survey requests remain outstanding. I believe that the information 

provided in this survey will aide air carriers in their bid process. I request that you provide a 60-

day extension of the bidding period to allow for the completion of the survey and a thorough --- ·-··---·-··--- -·----··--·-·-- . ··-·-··----- . -- -- -- ----··· ·- --- ..... ----·--

analysis of the results by airport and airline professionals. 

Thank you for your consideration of these requests. Should you have any questions, please 

contact Allison Cullin of my office at (202) 224-5344. I look forward to your prompt response.