-~The 

~Jackson 

~ Laboratorv / 

Jill M. Coldthwait 

I )tri'dur, (!/It<<' o/ ( ·<'L'r'rl!nt,'nl P,•f,lft<li1S: 

Megan Rae Rosia 

Vice President. Govemment and Regulatory Amtirs 

Colgan Air. Inc. 

One Commerce Square 

40 S. Main Street 

Memphis, TN 38103 

Dear Ms. Rosia. 

September 21 _ 20 II 

The announcements coming from Colgan Air have rapidly gone from bad to worse. First it was 

the elimination of the first outbound and last inbound flights of the day at BHB Airport as of 

October 1. 2011. This leaves a schedule that is neither '·well-timed" nor ··well-spaced" as 

required by the EAS contract, eliminating the opportunity for same-day travel to Boston and 

back. 

Next came notice of complete te1mination of Colgan Air service at BHB. According to your 

notice of termination, this would occur as of December 8. 2011 or when a replacement carrier is 

identified, whichever comes first. How is this possible when the current Essential Air Service 

contract is in effect until October 31, 20 12? 

Both of these decisions would have a negative impact on The Jackson Laboratory and our region. 

Though tourist activity certainly decreases in the winter, activity remains high for employees of 

The Jackson Laboratory and other employers and residents in Hancock County. 

The Jackson Laboratory, located in Bar Harbor, is one of Maine's largest employers with a 

workforce of almost 1,300. JAX is one ofthe world's leading genetics research facilities and 

Lab employees are frequent travelers to destinations nationally and around the world. Boston is 

a common hub for that travel, and there is no direct air service to Boston from Bangor. 

Also. there is a steady flow of traftic into Bar Harbor as scientists and others around the world 

come here to work, teach, study or participate in courses and conferences. Virtually all arrive by 

air, and those visitors number over 1,000 per year. 

207-288-6291 

207-288-6297 Fax 

jill.goldthwait@jax.org 

www.jax.org 

600 Main Street 

Bar Harbor, ME 04609-1500 
Sen ice issues at Bl-18 can be challenging. Coastal fog can affect t1ight schedules. as can crC\\ 

limitations or a\ailability. A discounted t:m.~ opportunity \vas discontinued in January 2011. 

Last year the landing instrumentation system \\as inoperable ti.Jr months, leading to man: !light 

cancellations. Planes occasionally made unannounced .. stops" in Presque Isle. O\ertlying BHB 

b\ 200 miles. 

Nevertheless. a direct flight to Boston, upgraded planes, reasonable fares, the convenient 

location, free parking, friendly and courteous employees and an efficient boarding process 

persuades JAX employees to keep tlying out of BHB. 1-Io\vever, as service levels decline and 

there are further interruptions or radical changes in service such as going back to the smaller 

aircraft that many travelers t(mnd unacceptable, travelers develop alternatives that include 

driving to Portland or traveling as far as Boston by car or bus. These potential customers \\ill be 

hard to bring back to BHB. 

We strongly object to Colgan Air reducing its tlight schedule or leaving BHB until there is 

comparable service in place for our region. 

cc: 

Allison Navia, Airport Manager 

Hancock County - Bar Harbor Airport 

Mr. Herb Thompson 

Bureau of Transportation Systems Planning 

Dana Reed, Bar Harbor Town Manager 

U.S. Postal Service 

Attn: Assistant General Counsel -Transportation 

Sincerely, 

Dennis J. Devany, Chief: Essential Air Service Division, X-53 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Dustin Hilt, Congressman Michaud's office 

Dustin.hilt@mail.house.gov 

Kenneth Altman, Senator Collins' office 

Kenneth Altman@collins.senate.gov 

Hancock County Commissioners Percy Brown, Fay Lawson and Steven Joy 

hancock.countv(a)co.hancock.me.us