Elite Airways to offer nonstop flights to Portland, Maine, expanding service to Newark
Elite Airways announced Monday that it will offer nonstop service from Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine to Portland International Jetport in Maine.
The new service starts March 26 and will operate on Saturdays traveling southbound and Sundays going northbound, according to a release from the airline.
Elite’s existing service between St. Augustine and Newark will add a third day of flights from late March through mid-May, then return to twice-weekly throughout the summer.
The airline began offering nonstop jet service between the Northeast Florida Regional and Newark Liberty International airports in November. The announcement marked the return of commercial service to the airport.
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“Elite Airways is expanding commercial air service in St. Augustine with a new nonstop to our hometown of Portland, Maine,” John Pearsall, president of Elite Airways, said in the release. “We believe Mainers will enjoy having a new Florida destination to explore — one with historical landmarks, pristine beaches and world-class golf courses and resorts. We’re also pleased that our Newark/St. Augustine service is being well-received by the community, so we’re adding a third day this spring and will look for additional opportunities to expand service at NFRA in the coming year.”
Elite jets have capacities from 50 to 90 seats
Elite Airways operates a fleet of Bombardier CRJ-200, CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 jet airliners with 50, 70 and 90 seats respectively, and maintains an impeccable safety record. All Elite Airways passengers receive free onboard snacks and beverages, advance seat assignments, free first-checked bag up to 50 pounds and more. Elite Airways is also pet-friendly.
“Elite Airways’ new nonstop flights provide a new economic connection point between St. Johns County and Portland, one of the fastest growing metro areas in Maine,” Bruce Maguire, chairman of the St. Johns County Airport Authority, said in the release. “We are thankful for the partnership between Elite Airways’ leadership and Airport Administration which enables us to offer this expanded travel option serving both business and recreational travel needs.”
Tickets start at $129 each way for Newark/St. Augustine and $199 each way for Portland/St. Augustine and are available for sale at 877-393-2510 and EliteAirways.com.
“The expansion of service into NFRA by Elite Airways is a tribute to the growing demand for our destination from the northeast and Elite’s support of our community,” Richard Goldman, president and CEO, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau, said in the release. “We look forward to hosting more of Elite Airways’ travelers here in Florida’s Historic Coast.”
Monday's announcement was part of a larger rollout of Elite Airways spring and summer schedule along the East Coast and Florida as leisure air travel continues to rebound. In a separate release, the airline announced expanded service in Vero Beach with its popular Newark service resuming March 25 plus the addition of new nonstops to Portland Maine and Westchester White Plains just north of New York City.
Headquartered in Portland, Maine, Elite Airways LLC was founded in 2006 by airline veterans. Elite Airways is a U.S. Part 121 Air Carrier and provides chartered and scheduled service throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and South America.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Augustine airport to get commercial routes to Portland, Maine
