Diversions and Maine's Bangor Airport

Bangor excels in handling diverted aircraft quickly, with its efficient customs processing and refueling.

The word 'international' in the name of Maine’s Bangor International Airport (BGR) might seem out of place. The airport only offers domestic flights within the United States with service provided by Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta and United. While Bangor doesn’t rank among the busiest in regular passenger traffic (over 740,000 in 2024), it does has a distinctive reputation as a magnet for aircraft diversions. This phenomenon results from the unique combination of its strategic location, historical precedence, operational readiness, and comprehensive facilities which are explicitly angled towards accommodating those landings which are unexpected.

Aircraft diversions can be caused by any number of factors, including severe and violent weather.

Prior to takeoff, all commercial aircraft are provided with a specific route to follow to reach their destination safely. This routing is normally agreed upon between the aircraft's flight crew and the airline's operations center and is ultimately communicated to all interested authorities (such as airspace control). But, sometimes things don't go according to plan and occasionally diversions are necessary. These can be caused by various factors, including inclement weather, mechanical issues, medical emergencies onboard, fuel shortages, or security threats. Pilots typically consider potential diversion points along their intended path when the flight route is planned so that, if necessary, the aircraft can be safely brought to the ground. Airports designated for handling such diversions, like Bangor International Airport, are equipped with specific resources and trained personnel to manage these unexpected situations efficiently. While diversions can cause significant disruptions to travel plans, they are a critical component of aviation safety, ensuring that passengers and crew land without incident  in the face of unforeseen events.

Strategically located on the Great Circle Route, Bangor's a convenient stop for transatlantic flights.

Bangor International Airport's strategic location is its most significant advantage in handling diverted flights. Situated in the far northeast of the United States, Bangor is the last American airport before transatlantic flights reach Europe and the first upon their return. This unique position makes it the ideal location for flights requiring emergency stops or diversions due to medical emergencies, unruly passengers, mechanical issues, or adverse weather conditions. The airport's location is not just a matter of longitude and latitude, it’s directly under the Great Circle Route. According to Britannica, the great circle route is the shortest course between two points on the surface of a sphere. It lies in a plane that intersects the sphere’s center, which was known by mathematicians before Columbus's time. The great circle navigation system explains why places such as Dubai, Helsinki, and Reikjavik are popular connecting hubs. As such, Bangor offers a minimal deviation for transatlantic flights that need to land quickly and safely.

Tony Caruso was with the airport for 27 years, the last 11 of which were as the Airport's Director.

This geographical advantage is complemented by its relatively uncongested airspace, which allows quicker landing clearances and less ground delay for incoming flights than found at larger, busier airports. The airport's former Director, Tony Caruso, said, "It's certainly not something we try to market, but we're here for any carrier that transits over the Atlantic Ocean. Given our geographic location, we are the first major airport for flights coming into the United States and the last resort for outgoing flights on the Great Circle Route. They can depend on us to handle their aircraft and passengers in various situations.”

The long runway can easily accommodate the largest and heaviest aircraft in the skies today.

Historically, Bangor was a strategic location during World War II, serving as a critical refueling and stopover point for Atlantic aircraft. This historical role has evolved to match modern needs. Today, Bangor International Airport boasts facilities and operational readiness to handle various aircraft, from small private planes to large airliners and even military jets. The airport has an 11,440-foot runway, capable of accommodating the largest aircraft in service, including the Airbus A380 and the Antonov 225. This capability is crucial for diverted transatlantic flights, which are often widebody jets needing extensive runway length for safe landings. The airport is renowned for its operational excellence, particularly in handling unexpected situations. The airport staff are trained to deal with various emergency scenarios quickly and efficiently. 

The Maine Air National Guard operates the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) unit at BRG Airport:

Bangor's emergency response capabilities are robust, with fire and rescue services equipped to handle various aircraft incidents on-site. This preparedness is crucial for passenger safety and the quick turnaround of diverted flights, minimizing disruption to the airport's regular operations and passengers' travel plans. Apart from its operational readiness, Bangor International Airport offers comprehensive facilities that help accommodate diverted flights and their passengers. These facilities include multiple gates capable of handling additional aircraft, ample deplaning and re-boarding areas, and various passenger amenities that can manage the sudden influx of travelers.The presence of extensive maintenance facilities also allows for immediate technical inspections and repairs, which are often needed for flights that are diverted due to mechanical issues. The airport's capability of quickly providing a wide range of services is a draw for airlines that must ensure passenger comfort even during unexpected stops. 

While Bangor was designated as an emergency Space Shuttle landing site, it was never used.

BRG is well equipped to handle diverted flights. There are four international gates to accommodate international diversions and a sudden onrush of passengers; three fuel tanks with total capacity of three million gallons; an airport-owned FBO; as well as cross-trained and on-call employees. According to RedOrbit, NASA included the Bangor Airport on their list of emergency landing sites for the Space Shuttle. This designation highlighted the airport's capacity to support commercial aviation and critical aerospace operations, demonstrating its comprehensive safety, operational readiness, and strategic significance. Since 2005 alone, the airport has seen nearly 1,200 diverted flights with an average of about 100 per year. Landing fees and other charges during emergency landings range from $2,000 to $5,000 per diversion and that revenue helps the airport offset the cost of emergency services. BRG’s key partners that enable them to facilitate diversions efficiently include the Transportation Security Administration, Customs & Border Protection; the FBI; local law enforcement and firefighting agencies as well as nearby hospitals. The Air National Guard also provides the airport with aircraft rescue and firefighting service and equipment; and the airport provides the Guard with 24/7 ground services.

Whatever the situation, be it bad weather, a passenger facing a medical emergency, security threats, or unexpected mechanical issues requiring immediate landing, Bangor International is the preferred choice for airliners needing to divert en route to or from the US.

Until next time…safe travels.