Planes serve as lifeline to remote Maine islands

Everyone pitches in
Because Penobscot air has the islands’ postal and UPS contracts, “they’re critical,” said Colton. Without Waters’ air service, “I could figure out some way, but it would probably be cost prohibitive,” she said. “He covers all the bases.”

The service is as versatile as it is informal. Pilots — some retired commercial fliers and some who’ve worked as bush pilots — load and unload planes themselves as they chat with customers.

Air transport to Maine’s islands started in the 1940s, with a succession of companies providing the service through the years.

Last December, a company called Maine Atlantic Aviation abruptly terminated service from Knox County Airport, citing losses of more than $100,000 from servicing the islands. Matinicus was especially hard hit because of the ferries’ light winter schedules.

Islanders, teaming up with a mainland business group, the nonprofit Island Institute, and elected officials, set out to restore air service. Matinicus residents alone raised more than $17,000 to get the enterprise off the ground, and Waters, a former Maine Atlantic pilot, launched Penobscot Air.

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