ME 50 Years

In 1974, farmer and hobby pilot Kenneth Parker bought an old DHC-3 Otter and started offering sightseeing flights around the coast of Maine. He named his company Maine Air Tours. The next summer, Parker bought two more Otters and wanted to start operations in Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Problem was, his only hangar was in Portland, and so his Otters had to overnight there, and fly out to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket empty in the early morning, and fly back during sundown. In order to not lose as much money on these empty legs, Parker started selling tickets on the ferry flights, initially to friends and family only, but eventually to the general public. He was shocked to find that demand on those flights were high, especially on weekends. In 1976, Parker and his now thriving airline invested in a fleet of 3 DHC-6 Twin Otters formerly belonging to a Canadian regional airline which had recently gone under, and started scheduled commuter service between Portland, Boston, and half a dozen of other destinations in New England. The first Twin Otter was delivered on February 6th, 1976, and registered N600ME. The employees of the airline lovingly called the plane "Double O".

Fast forward to 2023, and Maine is appoarching its 50th anniversary. Of course, the small air tour carrier is now a cult favorite premium low cost carrier, Maine Air Tours is now simply Maine, and second hand DHC-6s are now brand new Airbus A220s. To celebrate the monumental 50th year in operation, the airline decided to paint their newest A220-100 in a heritage livery, mirroring the livery that was worn by "Double O", the first Maine aircraft to operate scheduled flights. The Maine Air Tours name, which haven't been used since 2002, makes a return as well, alongside the MAT monogram logo. Inside, the dark green leather seats Maine are known for are replaced with saddle brown leather seats to mimic the interior of "Double O". The aircraft was aptly named "Double Two O", celebrating the A220, the next monumental aircraft for Maine.

N600ME, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter "Double O". Former Niagara Air Taxi C-FSBL (1969-1976), re-registered and delivered to Maine Air Tours in 1976. Exited fleet in 1984. Now Maldivian Seaplanes 8Q-CAB.
N209ME, Airbus A220-100 "Double Two O". Delivered to Maine in 2023. Painted in "50 Years of Maine" special livery 2023-present.