AUBURN — The Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport will no longer pursue scheduled commercial service, airport Director Jonathan LaBonte announced Wednesday at a public hearing on updating its master plan.

The plan was last updated and published in 2007.

The first of two public meetings was held at the airport, while the second will be sometime in the fall. The technical advisory committee was also part of Wednesday’s meeting and will also have a second meeting later in the year.

LaBonte said a lot has changed since the last update, including Federal Aviation Administration standards.

The biggest change is the airport board will no longer pursue scheduled commercial service.

“It is highly improbable that the Federal Aviation Administration would even authorize it, let alone make the federal investment, given that Portland is not at capacity,” he said.

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Jim Platz, middle, a longtime pilot and philanthropist, introduces himself Wednesday night in the conference room at the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport, during a public hearing on updating the airport’s master plan. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Instead, LaBonte said the airport will focus on being a general aviation reliever airport, which includes private and chartered jets. “We provide that alternative for small business aircraft, for sightseeing, it’s why the flight school relocated from Portland here. So, there’s a lot of benefits to being a strong general aviation airport and investing in that future would be more cost effective for local taxpayers.”

The master plan process seeks input from the public, local businesses and government, and the aviation community to chart a path forward for the airport for expansion and readiness for changes like electric vehicles and aircraft, changing fuel requirements and possible development options.

The meeting was well attended, mostly by pilots and tenants, including Dirigo Aerospace, LifeFlight of Maine and Skyward Aviation. Mayors Jeff Harmon of Auburn and Carl Sheline of Lewiston also attended.

The airport is at 80 Airport Drive, off Lewiston Junction Road.

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