Long Island MacArthur Airport
Long Island MacArthur Airport | |||||||||||||||||||
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AMSL 99 ft / 30 m | | ||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 40°47′43″N 073°06′01″W / 40.79528°N 73.10028°W | ||||||||||||||||||
Website | flymacarthur | ||||||||||||||||||
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FAA airport diagram as of 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Long Island MacArthur Airport (
Owned and operated by the Town of Islip, MacArthur Airport serves
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated LIMA an Official Metro Airport in early 2011,[5] meaning it is now grouped with LaGuardia, Kennedy, and Newark in travel and informational searches for New York airports, thus providing better exposure. MacArthur Airport does not share the congested airspace of the city-centric airports, and it has an exceptional record of on-time performance. In 2009, 83.6% of flights arrived on time and 85.6% of flights departed on time.[6]
In 2016, it had 124,154 aircraft operations, an average of 340 per day; 84% general aviation; 7% scheduled airline; 6% air taxi and 2% military. In 2017, the airport served more than 1.29 million airline passengers.[6] In July 2018, 247 aircraft were based at Islip: 141 single-engine, 30 multi-engine, 36 jets, 31 helicopters, and 9 military.[1] The town-owned Foreign Trade Zone is next to the airport property.
History
Early years
In April 1942, the Town of Islip contracted with the federal government to build an airfield on town-owned land for military use.[7] Within months the Civil Aeronautics Administration (the predecessor to today's Federal Aviation Administration) funded construction of three paved runways. Originally named Islip Airport, at the suggestion of Charles H. Duryea – a local elected official, the airport was renamed MacArthur Airport after U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur, whose dramatic escape from the Philippines during World War II had captured the attention of the world.[7]
In 1944,
In 1947, the Town of Islip offered the airport to the Port of New York Authority (which is today the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey). The offer was rejected because of the airport's location outside of the port region.[8]
Commercial service era
In 1960,
In 1971,
The
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30
- Boeing 727-200, Fokker 100, McDonnell Douglas MD-80
- Boeing 727-200
- Boeing 737-400
- Boeing 737-300
- Boeing 737-200
- Boeing 727-200
- Mohawk Airlines: Syracuse – BAC One-Eleven
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30
- Boeing 727-200, Douglas DC-8
- McDonnell Douglas MD-87
- Boeing 727-200
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30
Most of the above airlines ceased serving Long Island MacArthur, but between 1999 and 2009 passenger traffic grew with the airport, and now serves about two million passengers a year on three airlines: Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Breeze Airways.
A number of commuter and regional airlines served the airport from the late 1970s to the late 1990s, including
In 1989, construction of two small, four-gate concourses connected to the existing terminal building commenced. The project was completed in 1990; the two concourses included the first
In 1994, Continental Express was operating
In later years Continental Express continued to serve the airport with nonstop regional jets to
As of December 2022, Southwest operated year-round, non-stop service to Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Nashville, and West Palm Beach.
Frontier Airlines began serving MacArthur Airport in 2017, and Breeze Airways began service to and from the airport in 2022.[24][25][26]
Passenger boardings and operations
Following the
Growth in the 21st century
Established about midway through the 20th century, by the end of the century MacArthur Airport had been transformed. Growth and expansion continued in the early years of the 21st century, but by 2014 the airport was experiencing financial difficulties.[29]
In 2004 MacArthur Airport embarked on an expansion that included a new, Gensler-designed Southwest Airlines terminal built by the airline at a cost of $65 million.[30][31][32][33] Phase one of the expansion included four gates to be used by Southwest, as well as space for shops and restaurants. Phase two, completed in November 2006, added four more gates for a total of eight new gates. Prior to the expansion project, passengers had to pass back through the ticketing area of the airport to reach the baggage claim area. With the completion of Phase two, the new concourse provided a more convenient exit point to baggage claim, ground transportation, and the airport's roadway exit. Nevertheless, the location of the baggage claim area still requires most travelers using the airport's long-term parking lots to pass back through the ticketing area of the airport to reach their vehicles.
A major proponent of the airport's 2004–2006 expansion projects was
The 2004 expansion was built without state approvals and in violation of fire and safety codes, which resulted in a scandal.[31][34]
In late September 2007,
A new control tower was completed in 2010 and opened in 2011 to replace the tower built in the early sixties.[38][39][40] In, 2010 MacArthur Airport also saw the construction of a new, state-of-the-art Fuel Farm, which would increase the airport's jet fuel supply. The airport soon thereafter reconfigured the roadway in front of the terminal; another taxiway was also constructed along with other projects using FAA airport improvement program funds. Development of the West Side, home to a thriving general aviation sector, was to be underway in late 2010.
While the airport continues to expand it has added numerous amenities, including free courtesy cell phone parking (located in the rear of Lot 6B). In November 2009 MacArthur Airport became the only airport in the tri-state region to offer free wireless Internet service in the entire terminal and in the courtesy cell phone parking lot.[41] In addition, the airport launched several tools designed to provide up-to-date information to travelers, including its first official website, flyLIMA.com.[42] All passenger food catering within the airport terminal is provided by HMSHost, which operates five restaurants at the airport.
In March 2017, plans were announced to build a U.S. Customs Station at MacArthur Airport by the end of 2019 with help from financial assistance from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo – an attempt at making MacArthur an international destination and at enticing airlines to add MacArthur to their destinations. Beginning in late March, a marketing campaign was to be undertaken by the Town of Islip to announce the revival of the airport, including through advertisements on public transportation, digital marketing, and radio spots. In years past, previous campaigns have targeted airlines. This time, the $180 million campaign focus is on potential passengers and commuters. Additionally, a new logo and slogan were unveiled. The thought process is that by attracting more passengers, the airport will attract more airlines, including international flights.
On July 17, 2017, Frontier Airlines announced service to 10 new cities using aircraft as large as the Airbus A321, which approaches the Boeing 757 in range and passenger capacity – a first for the airport in that past decade.[24][25]
In September 2022, American Airlines ended service to MacArthur from Philadelphia due to pilot shortages.[23][43][44][45] Also taking place in 2022 was the opening of a new ground transportation center at the airport. This state-of-the-art facility houses all of the rental car agencies present on-site at the airport.[46]
In February 2023, the airport property was designated as a
Also taking place in February 2023 was the construction of a major, $26 million terminal renovation project commencing.[48][49] That June, MacArthur Airport received an additional $2.7 million in federal funds for additional terminal renovations.[49]
Airlines and destinations
MacArthur Airport currently has two concourses in one main terminal. Concourse A has nine gates, while Concourse B has two gates with
Passenger
Airlines | Destinations | Refs |
---|---|---|
Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Vero Beach | [50] | |
Frontier Airlines | Atlanta (resumes May 16, 2024),[51] Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach Seasonal: Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh/Durham | [52] |
Southwest Airlines | Baltimore, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach Seasonal: Fort Lauderdale | [53] |
Statistics
Passenger numbers
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Year | Passengers |
---|---|
2016 | 1,194,266 |
2017 | 1,297,186 |
2018 | 1,618,000 |
2019 | 1,545,000 |
2020 | 524,000 |
2021 | 1,105,000 |
2022 | 1,348,000 |
Top destinations
Rank | City | Passengers | Carriers |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Orlando, Florida | 175,590 | Frontier, Southwest |
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | 136,010 | Southwest |
3 | West Palm Beach, Florida | 77,050 | Frontier, Southwest |
4 | Tampa, Florida | 67,910 | Frontier, Southwest |
5 | Nashville, Tennessee | 33,530 | Southwest |
6 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 32,130 | Frontier, Southwest |
7 | Atlanta, Georgia | 23,920 | Frontier |
8 | Fort Myers, Florida | 15,360 | Frontier |
9 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 15,160 | American |
10 | Charleston, South Carolina | 10,110 | Breeze |
Rank | Airline | Passengers | Market Share |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Southwest | 604,000 | 50.46% |
2 | Frontier | 529,000 | 44.24% |
3 | Breeze | 63,370 | 5.30% |
Administration
Long Island MacArthur Airport is owned and operated by the Town of Islip.[55] The Department of Aviation is led by the Commissioner of Aviation and Transportation, which works closely with the Town Board to manage and steward the airport. Departments include Airport Operations, Custodial, Fire Rescue, Law Enforcement, Maintenance, Construction, and Administration.
Tenants
Long Island MacArthur Airport's houses numerous general aviation tenants, including three fixed based operators: Sheltair Aviation, ExcelAire, and Mid Island Air, which offers a full range of general aviation services. There are numerous flight schools based on the field, including ATP Flight School, Heritage Flight Academy, and Mid Island Air Service.[56]
The
Until the early 1990s, the 2nd Battalion (Attack),
It is also home to Civil Air Patrol's Long Island Group's Suffolk Cadet Squadron 10.
Radio station WRCN-FM (Broadcasting as LI News) maintains its offices and studios within the airport.[57]
Additionally, the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZNY) – known as an
Accidents and incidents
- On April 4, 1955, a subsequently crashed, killing all three crew members on board.
- On November 23, 1999, a U.S. Army National Guard
- On July 25, 2008, a bomb threat was received for Southwest Airlines Flight 2622, bound for Chicago. Subsequently, Concourse A was evacuated for several hours and a thorough search of the airplane and building commenced. No dangerous items were found.[62]
- On January 7, 2011, a Bombardier Dash 8-100 operating as Piedmont Airlines Flight 4507 on behalf of American Airlines, with service from Philadelphia, PA to New Haven, CT, had to divert to MacArthur after being struck by lightning over the Long Island Sound, causing electrical problems. The diversion was successful, and the 33 passengers were bussed to New Haven.
- On February 3, 2022, a Hawker 1000on the ramp. No one was injured. The investigation is still ongoing as of December 2022.
Ground transportation
Public transportation
System | Route(s) | Refs |
---|---|---|
Suffolk Transit |
6 | [63][64] |
The
System | Station | Line(s) | Refs |
---|---|---|---|
Long Island Rail Road | Ronkonkoma | Ronkonkoma Branch | [66] |
Long Island Rail Road | Central Islip
via SCT RT 6 |
Ronkonkoma Branch | [63][64] |
Long Island Rail Road | Patchogue
via SCT RT 6 |
Montauk Branch | [63][64] |
MacArthur Airport is connected with the nearby
The Central Islip and Patchogue stations are also accessible from the airport, via Suffolk County Transit's Route 6 bus route.[64]
In popular culture
Long Island MacArthur Airport has been used several times as a filming location:
- In the 1970 film The Out-of-Towners, the airport scene, in which George Kellerman played by Jack Lemmon and his wife Gwen played by Sandy Dennis depart Ohio for New York.[67]
- In 2008, several scenes for the independent film Every Day, starring Helen Hunt, Liev Schreiber, and Brian Dennehy.[68]
- Scenes for the 2010
- In 2011, Sean Paul's music video She Doesn't Mind was filmed at the airport.[68]
- In 2012, part of the movie Non-Stop was filmed in various locations at the airport.[68]
- In 2014, scenes from Ricki and the Flash were filmed at the airport.[70]
See also
References
- ^ PDF, effective February 22, 2024.
- ^ "ISP airport at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ Newsday, January 10, 2010, "The Little Airport That Could"
- ^ "About MacAuthur Airport". Town of Islip. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ^ a b c "RITA BTS Transtats – ISP". transtats.bts.gov. September 2018.
- ^ a b Suffolk County News Archive, April 3, 1942
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b http://www.departedflights.com, April 27, 1969, Mohawk Airlines route map
- ^ http://www.departedflights.com, February 1, 1972, Mohawk Airlines system timetable
- ^ http://www.timetableimages.com, March 1, 1974, Allegheny Airlines system timetable
- ^ http://www.departedflights.com, Official Airline Guide (OAG) editions: April 1, 1974; November 15, 1979; April 1, 1981; February 15, 1985; December 15, 1989; October 1, 1991; April 2, 1995; June 1, 1999
- ^ http://www.departedflights.com, February 1, 1987, Continental Airlines employee system timetable
- ^ http://www.departedflights.com, December 1, 1986, New York Air timetable
- ^ a b http://www.departedflights.com, June 1, 1999, Official Airline Guide
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ http://www.departedflights.com, Official Airline Guide (OAG) editions: November 15, 1979; April 1, 1981; February 15, 1985; December 15, 1989; October 1, 1991; April 2, 1995; June 1, 1999
- ^ Gray, Katti (November 1, 1989). "Airport Upgrade Gets off the Ground". Newsday. pp. 29NN – via ProQuest.
- ^ Feb. 1994 OAG Pocket Flight Guide, Long Island MacArthur flight schedules
- ^ "Spirit Air considering ISP service to FLL". Newsday. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ Yahoo Finance Video (July 22, 2017). "Spirit Airlines Attacks Record Fuel Prices". Yahoo!. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "American Airlines loses bid to restore MacArthur-DC route". Times Union. January 8, 2015. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
- ^ a b Kunzler, Joe (June 22, 2022). "Pilot Shortage Forces American Airlines To Cut Three Destinations From Its Network". Simple Flying. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Liu, Jim (September 25, 2017). "Frontier Airlines outlines launch date for new routes in S18". Routesonline. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Pallini, Thomas (April 15, 2018). "Frontier Breathes New Life into Struggling Long Island Airport". AirlineGeeks.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ Ledda, Brianne (February 14, 2023). "Breeze Airways adding two new seasonal destinations from Long Island MacArthur". Newsday. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ "Southwest Airlines: No plans to leave MacArthur". Newsday.
- ^ "About Long Island MacArthur Airport". Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
- ^ Ruud, Candice (December 21, 2013). "MacArthur Airport struggling to reverse losses". Newsday.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b "Inside Troubled expansion new SW terminal at LI MacArthur Airport". Airline Forum - Air Travel Forum / Flying Forum. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- ^ "Southwest Airlines Terminal – MacArthur Airport | Bliss Fasman". Bliss Fasman. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ "Long Island MacArthur Airport". bld architecture. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "Decision time at MacArthur; The airport is a regional asset, and Islip must be a careful steward". aviationpros.com. September 28, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Sleter, Greg (June 30, 2015). "Long Island's MacArthur needs more than Wow Air". Long Island Business News. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "Aging control tower at Long Island MacArthur Airport soon to be torn down". Newsday. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ "New Control Tower Dedicated At Long Island's MacArthur Airport". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ "FAA Dedicates New Air Traffic Control Tower for Long Island MacArthur Airport". International Airport Review. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ MacGowan, Carl (November 24, 2009). "Cablevision wires MacArthur Airport for Internet access". Newsday.
- ^ www.flyLIMA.com
- ^ "American Airlines Exits Long Island's MacArthur Airport". TravelPulse. September 7, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ Mongelli, Lorena (December 30, 2022). "Flights at Long Island MacArthur airport down 17% since 2019 despite demand". Newsday. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Long Island MacArthur Airport Unveils New Ground Transportation Center". Metropolitan Airport News. March 27, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Long Island MacArthur Airport Superfund site: State DEC, Islip negotiating agreement on cleanup, officials say". Newsday. July 24, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Construction now underway on $26M in improvements at MacArthur Airport". Newsday. February 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Long Island MacArthur Airport gets $2.7 million in federal money for terminal improvement". Newsday. June 16, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Explore Breeze Airways destinations". Breeze Airways. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ "Frontier Airlines Announces 17 New Routes Across Multiple Airports, Spanning the U.S. and Caribbean".
- ^ "Frontier". Retrieved May 21, 2018.
- ^ "Check Flight Schedules". Retrieved May 21, 2018.
- ^ a b "Air Carrier Statistics (Form 41 Traffic)- U.S. Carriers". BTS, Transportation Statistics. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ "Airport". islipny.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "General Aviation". macarthurairport.com. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- ^ WRCN-FM (LI News) Contact Information at Long Island MacArthur Airport (Retrieved 08-April-2021)
- ^ "New York Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZNY) | Federal Aviation Administration". www.faa.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Ranter, Harro (April 4, 1955). "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-6 N37512 Islip-MacArthur Field, NY (ISP)". aviation-safety.net.
- ^ Newman, Andy (November 24, 1999). "2 Killed and 2 Hurt in Crash Of Helicopter on Long Island". The New York Times. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ McQuiston, John T. (November 25, 1999). "Investigation Begins Into Why Army Helicopter Crashed at L.I. Airport". The New York Times. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ "Long Island Mac Arthur Airport". www.airports-worldwide.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c Route 6.pdf (sctbus.org) Bus Service
- ^ a b c d e f "System Map". sctbus.org. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Bus Service". macarthurairport.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ https://www.macarthurairport.com/ground-trans/lirr LIRR
- ^ Kern, Kathleen C. (March 29, 1984). "AS I SEE IT: MacArthur Neighbors Can't Rest Easy With Fly-by-Night Field". Newsday. p. 80 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c d Rudd, Candice (January 3, 2013). "Star flight". Newsday. p. A21 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Crichton, Sarah (April 18, 2011). "MacArthur gets TV show star spot". Newsday. p. A28 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Guzman, Rafer (October 21, 2014). "Meryl Streep films new movie 'Ricki and the Flash' at Long Island MacArthur Airport". Newsday.
External links
- Official website
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective April 18, 2024
- "New York State DOT Airport Diagram" (PDF).
- Resources for this airport:
- AirNav airport information for KISP
- ASN accident history for ISP
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KISP
- FAA current ISP delay information