
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP), formerly and originally known as Islip Airport, is a public airport in Ronkonkoma, New York, within the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island. The airport was established in 1942, activated in 1943, and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960. It is conveniently located between Montauk Point and Manhattan, providing a local option for passengers from townships both east and west of the Town of Islip. The airport code for Long Island MacArthur Airport is ISP.
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Long Island MacArthur Airport was formerly known as Islip Airport
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP) was formerly known as Islip Airport. The airport is located in Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County, on Long Island, New York, within the Town of Islip. Covering 1,311 acres, it was established in 1942, activated in 1943, and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960. It has three runways and two helipads and is owned and operated by the Town of Islip.
The airport was originally named Islip Airport at the suggestion of Charles H. Duryea, a local elected official. It was later renamed MacArthur Airport, in honour of World War II General Douglas MacArthur, whose dramatic escape from the Philippines during the war had captured worldwide attention.
Long Island MacArthur Airport serves as a regional transportation centre for the entire Long Island community, generating $600 million in economic impact and over 6,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Its central location is a major draw for businesses, as it is conveniently accessible from three major East-West thoroughfares: it is located one mile north of Sunrise Highway, four miles south of the Long Island Expressway, and connects to the Veteran's Memorial Highway. The LIRR Ronkonkoma Station is also less than two miles from the airport's main terminal, providing passengers with an easy, affordable, and efficient connection to and from New York City.
Long Island MacArthur Airport has undergone many expansions and transformations throughout the 20th century. In 1960, Allegheny Airlines became the first airline to operate scheduled passenger service with flights out of MacArthur. Following the completion of a new $90 million terminal building by Southwest Airlines in 2006, the airport has become one of the strongest regional airports in the country.
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The airport is owned and operated by the Town of Islip
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP), formerly known as Islip Airport, is owned and operated by the Town of Islip. The airport is located in Ronkonkoma, New York, within the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island. Covering 1,311 acres (531 ha), the airport was established in 1942, activated in 1943, and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960. It has three runways and two helipads.
The Town of Islip has played a significant role in the development and operation of the airport. In 1944, the first hangar was built by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Subsequently, in 1947, the Town of Islip offered the airport to the Port of New York Authority, but it was rejected due to its location outside the port region. Nevertheless, the Town of Islip persevered and constructed the airport's first terminal building in 1949, paving the way for airline flights.
The airport has undergone numerous expansions and transformations throughout the 20th century. In 1960, Allegheny Airlines became the first scheduled passenger airline to operate from the airport, offering flights to Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities, including the completion of a new $90 million terminal building by Southwest Airlines in 2006.
The Town of Islip's Department of Aviation, led by the Commissioner of Aviation and Transportation, manages and operates the airport. The department works closely with the Islip Town Council and consists of various divisions, including Airport Operations, Custodial, Fire Rescue, Law Enforcement, Maintenance, Construction, and Administration. The current Commissioner of Aviation and Transportation is Shelley LaRose-Arken.
The central location of the airport between Montauk Point and Manhattan provides a convenient option for passengers from nearby townships. It is easily accessible from major thoroughfares and offers connections to the Long Island Rail Road, making it a preferred choice for travellers. The airport serves as a regional transportation hub for the Long Island community, contributing significantly to the local economy and employment.
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It is located 50 miles east of Manhattan
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP), formerly known as Islip Airport, is located 50 miles east of Manhattan. It is situated in Ronkonkoma, New York, within the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island. Covering 1,311 acres, the airport has three runways and two helipads. The airport is owned and operated by the Town of Islip and serves as a regional transportation hub for the entire Long Island community.
The airport's central location between Montauk Point and Manhattan makes it a convenient option for passengers from townships both east and west of Islip. It is easily accessible from major roadways, including the Sunrise Highway, the Long Island Expressway, and the Veteran's Memorial Highway. The Long Island Rail Road provides efficient transportation to and from New York City, with the Ronkonkoma Station located just two miles from the airport's main terminal.
Long Island MacArthur Airport offers a range of amenities for travellers, including free Wi-Fi, restaurants, gift shops, and parking options. It has been recognised for its high level of customer experience and has been selected as a finalist for the Best Small Airports award by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards in 2020 and 2021. The airport has also undergone various expansion projects, including the construction of a new concourse and the Veterans Memorial Concourse, reflecting its importance to the community.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1942 and activation in 1943. It began serving as a commercial airport in 1960, with Allegheny Airlines as the first scheduled passenger airline. Over the years, it has undergone expansions and transformations, including the addition of new carriers and the construction of a new terminal building. The airport has played a significant role in the region's economic development, generating $600 million in economic impact and creating more than 6,000 jobs.
Long Island MacArthur Airport is an essential gateway for residents and visitors to Long Island, providing convenient travel options and contributing to the region's growth and accessibility. Its location 50 miles east of Manhattan makes it a strategic hub for air travel in the area.
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The airport has three runways and two helipads
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP), formerly known as Islip Airport, is a public airport in Ronkonkoma, New York, within the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island. Covering 1,311 acres (531 ha), the airport was established in 1942, activated in 1943, and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960. It has three runways and two helipads.
The airport's three runways and two helipads were constructed in 1942 when the Town of Islip contracted with the federal government to build an airfield on town-owned land for military use. The Civil Aeronautics Administration, the predecessor to today's Federal Aviation Administration, funded the construction of the airport and three paved runways through the federally-funded Development of Landing Areas for National Defense (DLAND) program.
The airport's original terminal opened in 1966 and has since undergone several expansions and transformations. In 1989-1990, two concourses with two gates each were added. In 2004, Southwest Airlines funded the construction of the current terminal, which built off and replaced portions of the existing 1966 terminal while renovating other sections. The airport's capital improvement program has been a significant economic and employment generator for the region.
The airport's three runways include Runway 15L/33R, the smallest and narrowest runway, which is not used for takeoffs or landings at night. In 2020-2021, the airport completed $37.9 million in federally and locally funded planning and capital projects, including the rehabilitation of Runway 6-24 and Runway 15R-33L, as well as associated taxiway lighting upgrades.
The two helipads at the airport support a thriving general aviation sector. In July 2018, 31 helicopters were based at the airport, contributing to the 84% of general aviation operations out of a total of 124,154 aircraft operations that year. The airport's convenient location and efficient infrastructure make it a preferred choice for both business and leisure travellers.
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It serves as a regional transportation centre for the entire Long Island community
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP), formerly known as Islip Airport, is a public airport in Ronkonkoma, New York, within the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island. Covering 1,311 acres, the airport was established in 1942, activated in 1943, and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960. It has three runways and two helipads.
Long Island MacArthur Airport serves as a regional transportation centre for the entire Long Island community. Its central location between Montauk Point (72 miles East) and Manhattan (60 miles West) provides a local option for passengers from townships both East and West of the Town of Islip. The airport is conveniently accessible from three major East-West thoroughfares: it is located one mile North of Sunrise Highway, four miles South of the Long Island Expressway, and connects to Veteran's Memorial Highway. The Long Island Rail Road's Ronkonkoma Station is also less than two miles from the airport's main terminal, providing passengers with an easy, affordable, and efficient way to travel to and from New York City.
The airport is served by Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines, which serve 10+ destinations nonstop, plus connections across the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Shuttle buses and taxis connect the airport to the Long Island Rail Road's Ronkonkoma station. Suffolk County Transit's Route 6 bus also serves the airport, connecting it with the Walt Whitman Mall in Huntington Station to the west, and the Patchogue LIRR station in Patchogue to the east. The Hampton Jitney's Westhampton, Montauk, and North Fork lines also stop along the Long Island Expressway at Exit 60, a short taxi ride from the airport terminal.
The airport has implemented innovative health and safety protocols, including the installation of Continuous Air Surface Pathogen Reduction units and Silver Defender antimicrobial films on high-touch surfaces. It was also one of the first airports in the US to install a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) vending machine.
Long Island MacArthur Airport was selected by a panel of experts at USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards as one of the 15 best small airports in the nation in 2020 and 2021. The airport generates $600 million in economic impact and more than 6,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
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Frequently asked questions
ISP stands for Islip, New York, in relation to Islip Airport.
The full name of the airport is Long Island MacArthur Airport.
Long Island MacArthur Airport is located in Ronkonkoma, New York, within the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island.
The airport was originally named Islip Airport but was later renamed to MacArthur Airport in honour of WWII General Douglas MacArthur.
The airport code is ISP.