The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced today a financial incentive package that will allow Boston Logan International Airport to compete more aggressively for international airline service. Massport’s Board adopted the International Air Service Incentive Program at their February meeting. It will apply to new nonstop international service to destinations in Asia, including China and India, Central America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Mexico City. The incentive program includes landing fee credits and joint advertising opportunities.

“Today’s action places us on equal footing with airports offering similar enticements and will allow us to attract new service to those international destinations most sought after by our customers,” said Massport’s CEO and Executive Director Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. Nonstop flights to Asia are often cited as the number one service target among the Boston-area’s business, academic and tourism communities. Asia is also a priority for Governor Patrick’s administration to further enhance the economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth. In addition to Asia, Massport seeks to regain international air services to Latin America, as well as attract nonstop service to the Middle East.

“To maintain our competitive edge on the global stage we must challenge ourselves to be innovative in how we attract new business and retain existing businesses,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Daniel O’Connell. “Massport is meeting that challenge head on by being aggressive in their efforts to attract new international destinations to our priority overseas markets.”

Massport’s action is not designed to subsidize a service that is not likely to be self-sufficient, but to help minimize the initial business risk of the air carrier. In doing so, Massport also expects to improve utilization of Boston Logan’s international Terminal E, as Asia, Latin America and Middle East flights would operate during current off-peak hours.

Massport is undertaking the program to compete with other airports around the country, most of which offer some type of financial incentive to attract new international air service.

Boston Logan serves as the gateway to the six-state New England region with a population of over 14 million and offers nonstop service to 77 domestic and 32 international destinations. Boston Logan also has more low fare flights than any airport in New England and in 2007 handled 28.1 million passengers.

Boston Logan’s $4.4 billion modernization program, including new terminals, parking facilities, roadways and airport concessions, has transformed the airport into a world-class facility capable of meeting the needs of local travelers and businesses in the 21st Century. In 2007 Boston Logan was ranked number one as the “Easiest Airport to Get To” by the business travel website Aviation.com.

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