2/13/2008 - Portland Jetport Tops New England for Fastest Growing Airport


2/13/2008 - NEWS BULLETIN
City of Portland
389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
www.portlandmaine.gov
CONTACT: Nicole Clegg, 207-756-8173, 207-272-4477 (cell) nicoleclegg@portlandmaine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2008
Portland Jetport Tops New England for Fastest Growing Airport
PORTLAND, Maine – Portland International Jetport is New England’s fastest growing airport in terms of passenger numbers, according to figures released today.
The figures, compiled from information made available by the New England Travel Journal and airline supplied data, show that in 2007 the Jetport processed 1,648,568 passengers – an increase of 17 percent on 2006 figures.
Vermont’s Burlington Airport saw the second biggest increase, recording a 2.9 percent growth, while Boston’s Logan Airport recorded the third biggest rise in passenger numbers, with a 1.4 percent increase.
All the other major airports in New England saw a fall in passenger numbers.
Portland City Mayor Edward Suslovic said the figures would help the City attract other airlines thinking of coming into the Portland or increasing their already existing services here.
“It was my privilege to help launch Jet Blue’s inaugural direct daily service to Orlando last month which came just a few months after AirTran Airways launched their daily service to Florida. The move by Jet Blue showed its confidence that not only could the City of Portland provide a first class airport facility for its Maine operations, but that it could also provide the numbers of passengers required to make the service viable. Jet Blue’s confidence must have sent a positive message to other airlines, but if that message was not strong enough for them, these figures certainly should be,” he said.
Suslovic said the figures also reflect the hard work done by Jetport staff in providing first class services and in promoting the use of Portland International Jetport to the region’s traveling public.

Portland City Manager Joe Gray said the figures showed The Portland International Jetport is one of the quiet achievers of the City of Portland.
“Other than knowing that it provides the facilities for the majority of air services in and out of the State of Maine, not many people know just how big an economic impact it makes on the region,” he said.
“The Jetport, a self-funding part of the City of Portland, meaning that no taxpayers’ dollars are used for its operation or upgrades, contributes $870 million in annual revenue and nearly 11,600 jobs throughout the region.”
Gray said that for the 2007 fiscal year total Jetport revenue was more than $16.5 million.
Jeff Monroe, Portland's transportation director said two factors were responsible for the Jetport now being New England’s fastest growing airport.
“First, the arrival of two discount airlines - JetBlue in May 2006, and AirTran in June 2007. Both are offering low fares to destinations like New York, Baltimore and beyond, and in the process driving down the prices charged by other airlines,” he said.
“Second, the city has begun a marketing campaign aimed at changing the long-standing perception of Portland as an expensive airport which has meant that many people are no longer traveling to Boston or Manchester to take flights.”
Jetport Manager Jeff Schultes said to ensure the Jetport could comfortably handle the growth in passenger numbers and help attract more services to Portland, the Jetport will be embarking on a nearly $100 million expansion project which include the construction of a five-story parking garage and a 125,000-square-foot addition to the terminal.