50 to transfer from BIA to Ark. airport

Fifty of the American Eagle employees who will lose their jobs at Bangor International Airport in November are expected to transfer within the company to an airport in Arkansas.

The 50 are among 74 aircraft maintenance employees at BIA affected by American Eagle's announced pullout from BIA.

Fifty will move to American's maintenance operation at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Bentonville, Ark., according to Andrea Huguely, American spokeswoman.

Bentonville is the headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

"More than five and less than 10" employees will transfer to Sawyer International Airport in Gwinn, Mich., she said. A few station and maintenance employees will go to New York and Boston airports.

Some already have made the transition, while others will leave after the Nov. 5 pullout at BIA.

"All maintenance and station employees were given the opportunity to transfer and fill open positions in other American airports," Huguely said.

American Eagle, the regional American Airlines affiliate, announced in July that it would leave the Bangor airport and eliminate 89 jobs. The airline employed 74 aircraft maintenance workers and 15 people who work at the terminal desk.

American Eagle moved into Bangor in 1999 and is one of five airlines operating at the airport. The company's 37-seat jets fly from BIA to Boston four times a day during the week and three times daily on weekends. American also flies from Bangor to New York once daily during the week and two times a day on weekends.

Huguely said the aircraft serving BIA will go back into American's jet pool, but some will be stationed in Chicago, while others will be at La Guardia International Airport in New York.