Report Reveals Growth Opportunities At MacArthur

Islip Town has released results of a report about Long Island MacArthur Airport that officials said will provide strategic direction for future growth at the Ronkonkoma-based regional airfield.

A key finding in the report, which was funded through a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, was the amount of so-called “leakage” from the airport’s catchment area, which was defined as all of Nassau and Suffolk counties. The report found that while the airport’s catchment area generates four million enplanements annually, only 1.1 million of those enplanements happen at Long Island MacArthur.

As a result 2.9 million passengers “leak” to other airports in the region, the report found, with many of those residing in portions of MacArthur’s catchment area that have a shorter or equal drive time to the airport when compared to the other airports in the region.

“The study confirms that MacArthur Airport’s potential passenger base is bigger than our current passenger levels would indicate,” said Teresa Rizzuto, commissioner of aviation at MacArthur Airport. “It makes a strong case for the right airline with the right destinations to capture the market.”

Phil Nolan, town supervisor, said the analysis better equips town officials to persuade airlines to bring service to MacArthur Airport. Currently, Southwest Airlines and US Airways are the only commercial carriers at the airport. The study also recommends targeting several airlines with the potential to provide addition service to MacArthur Airport, but town officials did not reveal the identity of the airlines mentioned.

Other Town News

The Town of Islip ACCESS-Department of Human Services and Dowling College are hosting a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education program in the spring and fall. The series is focused on helping participants understand addiction and identifying problems related to drug and alcohol abuse.

Upon completion of all 12 classes in the program, participants will earn a certificate.

The classes are free of charge and are held on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Fortunoff Hall and Kramer Science Center on the Dowling College Rudolph-Oakdale Campus.  For more information call 224-5330.