History

In 1969 Henry A. Laughlin, Jr.—fondly known as “Sandy” in the aviation industry—founded Northeast Air. Sandy had been a Major in the Army Air Corps and commanded a squadron of B-29 Bombers in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The discipline, integrity, and courage he displayed in the Army Air Corps served him well on his return to civilian life.

Over the next 30 years, Sandy built a solid business that supported not only his family, but created a livelihood for many dedicated employees. His passion and true love of aviation helped sustain him until his retirement in 1985. Sandy’s son Henry has taken over the leadership of the company.

Throughout 2016, Henry Laughlin III invested over $3,000,000 to bring Northeast Air’s FBO facilities to the forefront of the aviation industry, with a state of the art General Aviation Terminal, expanded parking, and updated amenities.

1939

• Henry ‘Sandy’ Laughlin Jr. joins the United States Army Air Corps
• Earns the rank of Major and commands a squadron of B-29 Bombers the Pacific Theater of World War II

1945

• Sandy returns to civilian life after the war

1948

• Sandy opens North Atlantic Aviation in Beverly, Massachusetts

1953

• Sandy sells his first Aero Commander
• Sandy travels to Oshkosh, WI to purchase his first Cessna aircraft to sell, but after seeing the Aero Commander, cancels his order and flies home in a Commander 520

1963

• Sandy sells North Atlantic Aviation and moves to Portland, ME

1969

• The start of Northeast Air in Portland, ME, which consisted of a single hangar connect to an administrative building

1978

• Northeast Air begins fueling commercial airline flights out of Portland, ME

1979

• An extension of the original hangar is built to house the avionics shop, conveniently name the ‘avionics hangar’

1983

• Sandy’s son, Henry A. Laughlin III, completes his private pilot training in Beverly, MA

1984

• After a successful career in computer sales, Henry joins the family business at Northeast Air

1986

• Henry and Sandy complete an impressive sale of 10 Aero Commander 690s to the Australian Coast Watch, which would go on to be used in anti-drug running missions off the coast of northern Australia

1996

• Construction begins on new FBO building, featuring nearly 19,000 square foot hangar, completed in 1998

1998

• Henry and his business partners begin Pro Star Aviation at Boston-Manchester Regional Airport

2000

• Northeast Air takes on all airline support services, including ground support handling and de-icing.

2009

• Henry secures sales territory for the Northeastern dealership of the Pilatus franchise, featuring the well-known PC-12; Pro Star Pilatus Service Center begins.

2015

• Henry’s son, Jesse, completes his Private Pilot training in Augusta, ME

2016

• Northeast Air completes a 2-year, $3,000,000 project to upgrade its General Aviation terminal to a modern, state-of-the-art facility

2022

• Mark Goodwin, General Manager at NEA for 44 years, retires and third generation in the family, Jesse Laughlin assumes new position as General Manager under the steady, strategic guidance of father and CEO, Henry Laughlin.