JetBlue Opens New Route: Enhancing Connectivity in Northern Maine
On September 5, 2024, the City of Presque Isle celebrated the inaugural flight of JetBlue from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Presque Isle International Airport (PQI). This celebration showcased the accomplishments of many, ranging from airport staff in Presque Isle, business and leisure travelers in northern Maine, USDOT and FAA, JetBlue, and design professionals at Hoyle Tanner and AECOM.
The first flight took 50 minutes, barely long enough to enjoy a snack and beverage at 30,000 feet. When we landed, we were greeted by over 100 members of the community and by a 10,500 square foot facility that was built in 1954 by the US Air Force as a fire station.
JetBlue is tapping into a growing demand for air travel, and the City is responding by designing a 33,065 square foot modern facility that increases space, addresses passenger flow challenges, provides a more energy-efficient environment, and lets the traveling public know that northern Maine is a preferred destination for both business and leisure.
To support the new terminal, a new 129,709 square foot terminal apron and taxiway will be constructed, sized to accept future larger aircraft. New parking lots and entrance road (approximately 124,164 square feet) provide additional capacity to support expected passenger growth. Additionally, new electric vehicle charging stations are being installed and will promote environmental sustainability in the area.
The Hoyle Tanner and AECOM team has completed the design of the new terminal and apron, and the City is planning to begin construction in spring 2025. The project is being constructed off-line to minimize operational impacts to the airport during construction. Read on to find out about these upgrades!
In Depth Design
Structural
The architectural and structural design consists of hybrid mass timber frame system. Reduction of steel not only reduces CO2 emissions, but also provides additional insulation for the envelope. To further improve the envelope system, the triple pane windows have three panes of glass that create a double sandwich with two airspaces between them. The airspace is filled with a gas that provides additional insulating properties, helping to reduce heat loss while also allowing for maximum solar heat gain during the winter months. The insulating properties of the triple pane windows work well with the remainder of the very robust building envelope, allowing the mechanical system to operate more efficiently in maintaining the desired indoor temperatures. The triple pane glazing reduces the amount of air-conditioning needed and as a result, lowers the greenhouse gas emissions of the building, reducing the building’s overall carbon footprint.
Mechanical
The mechanical system features a fully indoor variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump and heat recovery system. This allows the air handling units to operate during the coldest months while also providing simultaneous heating and cooling. The system is 400% more efficient than a typical HVAC system by capturing the waste heat and sending it throughout the building as needed. A traditional system would send waste heat to the atmosphere and rely on supplemental heat sources, with a low coefficient of performance of 1.0 or less.
The outside air is conditioned by a heat pump and energy recovery unit, which work together to efficiently heat incoming cold air. During winter, fresh air from outside (as cold as -30°F) is drawn into the building for ventilation. Instead of using energy-intensive methods like electric strip heaters or boilers, the heat pump system recovers waste heat from the building’s exhaust and uses it to pre-warm the incoming air. This process raises the air temperature to around -10°F for ‘free,’ making it about 200% more efficient than traditional heating methods. A backup electric coil ensures the system can still operate during maintenance or defrosting periods, and variable frequency drives allow fans to adjust speed as needed.
The building automation system will monitor all equipment and ensure that HVAC and lighting systems are operating as scheduled and efficiently, sending alarms when setpoints are out of range. This ensures energy efficiency and thermal comfort is maintained throughout the life of building.
Plumbing
The plumbing system is designed with low-flow restroom fixtures and automatic flush valves, which minimize water usage. By using less water, the system reduces the demand for hot water, thereby lowering the building’s overall heating requirements. Additionally, a highly efficient heat pump water heater, operating at 400% greater efficiency compared to a standard electric unit, will provide hot water storage. The heat pump also functions as an air conditioner for the janitor’s closet, further contributing to energy savings by cooling the surrounding area as it heats the water.
Electrical
The electrical system consists of efficient interior and exterior LED lighting fixtures, designed to further improve code maximums by 10%. Daylighting and dimming controls capitalize on the building’s glass facades. Vacancy sensors and lighting controls shut off lighting. Energy-efficient transformers and feeders are sized to minimize voltage drop and reduce energy losses. EV charging provided to promote use of efficient vehicles.
New Connections, Bright Future
As the travelling public enjoys this new connection to Boston, with connecting flights to destinations in North America, Caribbean, South America, Central America, Mexico, United Kingdom and Europe, the Airport is poised for growth and ready for opportunity. It has been our pleasure to support the City on this transformational project as well as other key improvement projects, and we will keep you updated as more exciting steps are taken.
