(BANGOR, MAINE) Bangor International Airport’s main runway will close several times in 2025 as crews finish a comprehensive runway rehabilitation, a project budgeted at $46.9 million and described by local officials as essential to safety, reliability, and the airport’s role as a regional hub.
The closure windows—some lasting 55 hours at a time—are clustered in April, May, June, and September 2025, and mark the final phase of a multi‑year effort that started with work on the runway’s northern section in 2024. Airport leaders say these closures are planned to concentrate the most disruptive work into tight blocks so regular travel schedules can resume quickly in between.
Operational impacts and planning
The airport has released a detailed schedule and urged passengers, airlines, cargo operators, and the Maine Air National Guard to plan ahead for the temporary pauses. During those windows, the runway will be completely unavailable for takeoffs and landings.
Outside the posted closures, normal operations will continue with a shortened runway while crews complete work on the middle and south end. Airport communications indicate they don’t anticipate further disruptions for travelers after the scheduled closures end and construction shifts to less intrusive tasks.
The airport emphasizes that the runway had reached the end of its useful life by 2023, and that the staged approach—first half in 2024, final sections in 2025—reflects both safety priorities and the practical need to keep a key facility running in a state where reliable air connections are vital.
Who relies on Bangor’s runway
Bangor International Airport supports a wide range of users:
- Commercial passengers
- Air cargo operations
- Medical evacuations
- Military operations (Maine Air National Guard)
- General aviation
Coordinating among these groups is one reason planners clustered work into predictable blocks. Based on lessons learned from the 2024 phase, the 2025 plan aims to reduce uncertainty for travelers and businesses that depend on steady air service.
Communication and traveler guidance
To help travelers stay informed, Bangor International Airport has committed to frequent updates and posted the full 2025 closure schedule on its official website. That includes start and end times for each closure and reminders to check with airlines for any schedule changes.
Airport guidance for passengers includes:
- Verify flight status with your carrier
- Arrive earlier than usual if your trip starts near a closure window
- Sign up for alerts with your airline or the airport
- Cargo operators and charter flights should coordinate closely, especially for time‑sensitive goods or medical transport
The airport directs travelers and stakeholders to its website for official details and day‑of changes:
– Main site: https://flybangor.com
– Posted schedule: https://flybangor.com/2025-runway-construction-schedule/
General inquiries: [email protected] or (207) 992-4600. The airport advises that flight-specific questions are best answered by the airline handling the reservation.
The airport stresses these disruptions are temporary and planned: each window is long enough for heavy work—such as milling, paving, and markings—without stretching into unpredictable delays.
Runway closure schedule and what travelers should expect
The airport outlined the following closures in 2025 to complete the final phase of the runway rehabilitation.
- 16‑hour closures
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 – 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 9 – 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 10
- 55‑hour closures
- 8 a.m. Monday, April 28 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 30
- 8 a.m. Monday, May 5 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 7
- 8 a.m. Monday, May 12 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 14
- 8 a.m. Monday, May 19 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 21
- 8 a.m. Monday, June 2 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 4
- 8 a.m. Monday, June 9 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 11
- 8 a.m. Monday, June 16 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 18
During each closure the runway will be closed to all departures and arrivals. When closures lift, the airport will operate with a shortened runway until the remaining work is complete. Officials say the closure format is meant to give airlines consistency so they can plan and adjust schedules in advance.
Scope of the work
The 2025 work focuses on the middle section and south end of the runway. Key tasks include:
- Removing worn surface materials
- Rebuilding base layers in targeted locations
- Restoring surface, drainage, markings, and lighting to modern standards
Airport officials tie the project directly to safety: runway condition affects braking, skid resistance, visibility markings, and the ability to handle different aircraft types in varied weather.
Completing the final segment will allow Bangor International Airport to operate without ongoing construction constraints and with runway surfaces that meet today’s aircraft needs.
Funding, partners, and why it matters
The rehabilitation totals $46.9 million, funded by a mix of federal, state, local, and military support:
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) | $27.4 million |
| Maine Air National Guard (MEANG) | $16.4 million |
| Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) | $1.5 million |
| Bangor International Airport (local) | $1.5 million |
- The FAA provides both financial and technical oversight through federal airport programs.
- The Maine Air National Guard’s contribution reflects the base’s shared use and military mission requirements.
- State and local contributions round out the package.
Airport officials highlight three core reasons the project matters:
- Safety — better stopping distance, skid resistance, and clear markings.
- Reliability — reduced risk of emergency closures and longer service life.
- Regional role — supports passenger service, freight, military operations, and local economic activity.
Coordination, lessons learned, and broader context
- The 2024 phase (northern section) informed the 2025 approach: cluster closures to minimize ripple effects and give airlines predictable windows to adjust operations.
- The airport says this project is Maine’s most active runway work in 2025, while other state airports focus on different priorities (e.g., Portland on terminal parking, Brunswick planning runway work without major commercial closures).
- The mixed funding mirrors Bangor’s operational mix and shared civilian/military use.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, clear planning and communication reduce the burden on passengers and carriers during infrastructure work. Bangor’s approach—finish one phase, apply lessons, and keep the public informed—follows that model.
What to expect through completion
- The airport expects the runway rehabilitation to be fully completed by the end of the 2025 construction season, barring standard field checks and follow‑up tasks.
- After construction wraps, the runway should return to full length and normal operations with improved surfaces and markings.
- Airlines will publish schedule changes connected to closures; the airport will continue to post notices and reminders.
The airport reiterates that while it controls field operations, carriers control flight schedules and customer service. Travelers should check with their airline for rebooking options or alternatives if a flight is adjusted due to a posted closure.
Final takeaways
- The 2025 schedule uses a mix of 16‑hour and 55‑hour closures spread across April, May, June, and September to concentrate heavy work and limit long‑term disruption.
- The project is an investment in safety, reliability, and regional connectivity, backed by federal, state, local, and military partners.
- For official, up‑to‑date information and the detailed calendar, visit:
For general inquiries: [email protected] or (207) 992-4600. Check your airline for flight‑specific questions and options.
This Article in a Nutshell
Bangor International Airport will carry out the final phase of a $46.9 million runway rehabilitation in 2025, concentrating disruptive work into scheduled closure windows in April, May, June and September. The plan—shaped by lessons from 2024—includes several 55-hour closures and two 16-hour closures when the runway will be closed to all arrivals and departures. Outside those windows, the airport will operate with a shortened runway while crews complete targeted repairs to the middle and south end, including milling, base rebuilding, drainage, lighting and markings. Funding comes from the FAA, Maine Air National Guard, Maine DOT and local contributions. Officials emphasize safety, reliability and regional connectivity as project goals, urge passengers to verify flight status with airlines, and expect completion by the end of the 2025 construction season.
