Elite Airways today announced that it has signed a long-term lease agreement with the Auburn-Lewiston Airport for 27,000 square-feet of hangar and future office space. This modern-built facility will serve as the airline’s northern maintenance base to support its growing fleet of jet aircraft.
Elite Airways is headquartered in Portland, Maine and operates a successful charter business throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and South America, with select scheduled service throughout the U.S. and Caribbean. The airline operates a fleet of Bombardier CRJ-200 and CRJ-700 jet airliners known for comfort, efficiency and maintains an impeccable safety record.
Beginning on January 15, Elite Airways will occupy the largest hangar on Airport property and is estimated to bring upwards of 100 new high-skilled jobs to the Auburn-Lewiston area. These include aircraft maintenance technicians, mechanics, support personnel, pilots and flight crew. Today’s announcement significantly expands Elite’s Maine-based operations and reflects the airline’s continued growth and momentum. In the past year, Elite Airways nearly doubled its workforce and added additional aircraft — bringing its current fleet to 18 aircraft.
“As Maine’s largest airline, Elite Airways is proud to consider Auburn-Lewiston Airport home to our new northern maintenance operations base,” said John Pearsall, President of Elite Airways. “We anticipate adding another 100 jobs and four new aircraft as a result of this new facility. We’d like to thank airport officials for their support and look forward to future opportunities to further expand our operations in Maine.”
“Today’s announcement is an exciting one as we welcome Elite Airways to the Auburn Lewiston Airport. I believe Elite’s choice reflects the quality of our airport and the improvements we have made over the last several years, as well as the vitality of Androscoggin County and the economic opportunities the area presents,” said Bettyann Sheats, Chair, Auburn Lewiston Airport Board. “With a long-term lease now in place valued at $2.6 million, we are well positioned to continue with plans for additional expansion. I am looking forward to exploring opportunities with Elite Airways to mutually grow our operations.”
