U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has selected JetBlue to continue providing Essential Air Service (EAS) between Presque Isle International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport for the next two years.
Under the agreement, which runs from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2028, JetBlue will operate seven round-trip flights each week between Presque Isle and Boston using a 140-passenger Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
The Essential Air Service program provides federal support to ensure rural communities maintain access to commercial air travel, helping connect residents and businesses to the national transportation network.
“Reliable access to commercial air service is critical to the residents and businesses of Aroostook County, connecting them to destinations across the country and supporting economic growth throughout the region,” Collins said. “I welcome the selection of JetBlue to continue providing service between Presque Isle and Boston. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to support robust funding for the Essential Air Service program, which helps sustain commercial air service in rural communities that might otherwise lack access to the national air transportation network.”
Collins has long advocated for continued federal investment in northern Maine’s aviation infrastructure. In 2024, she secured $20.46 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to fund construction of a new passenger terminal at Presque Isle International Airport.
The project will replace the airport’s aging terminal, which was built in 1954, with a modern, fully ADA-compliant facility designed to meet current Federal Aviation Administration standards. The new terminal is expected to improve accessibility, enhance the passenger experience, and support future air service at the airport.
Collins participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new terminal last year, calling the project a significant investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure and long-term economic development.
JetBlue has provided Essential Air Service to Presque Isle since replacing the previous carrier, offering northern Maine travelers direct access to Boston and connecting flights to destinations across the United States.
