NEW YORK (AP) – Maine-based chip maker Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc. says its first-quarter profit nearly tripled on lower costs.

Fairchild, which is based in South Portland, says its profit rose to $17.1 million, or 14 cents per share, from $6.3 million, or 5 cents per share, from the same period a year ago.

Sales rose 1 percent to $406.3 million from $402.6 million.

Chief Executive Mark Thomson says consumer demand was roughly in line with his expectations, with the exception of weaker Chinese sales in February.

Manchester now a regional airport

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – One out of five passengers who fly in and out of Manchester are from Massachusetts.

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Director Mark Brewer said that’s up from one in 20 a decade ago and shows the airport is now really a regional airport.

Looking ahead, Brewer told the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday that lengthening the airport’s two runways has put it in a good position to handle additional growth, particularly flights to the West Coast.

He said the focus now will be on improving the terminal and land use around the airport.