Trenton, New Jersey: Airport Availability And Accessibility

Trenton, New Jersey is served by the Trenton–Mercer Airport, a county-owned, joint civil–military, public airport located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. The airport is home to multiple flight schools, the Army Aviation Support Facility #2, and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment of the New Jersey Army National Guard. Trenton–Mercer Airport is the third-busiest airport in New Jersey, with an average of 308 aircraft operations per day, and was the fifth fastest-growing airport in the US as of May 2018.

Trenton–Mercer Airport's history

Trenton–Mercer Airport is a county-owned, joint civil–military, public airport located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. The airport is easily accessible from I-95, U.S. 1 and I-295.

The history of the airport dates back to 1907 when the first airplane landed in what was then Alfred Reeder's farm field, just off Bear Tavern Road in Ewing. Two decades later, in 1929, Skillman Airport was opened to the public. During World War II, the nearby General Motors Inland Fisher Guide Plant halted the production of civilian vehicles and started manufacturing Grumman TBF Avenger carrier-based torpedo bombers for the United States Navy. Skillman Airport expanded to facilitate the test flights of these aircraft. After the war, the airport was returned to county control and renamed the Mercer County Airport. The Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton, constructed adjacent to the airport, remained operational until 1997.

In 1994, as a cost-cutting measure, the Mercer County Airport Police and Fire Department was disbanded, and its responsibilities were transferred to the Mercer County Sheriff's Office and ProTec Fire Services (Aircraft Fire Rescue). The airport's name was changed to Trenton–Mercer Airport in 1995 to associate it with the city of Trenton, the capital of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. An NWS/FAA automated surface observing system (ASOS) was implemented at the airport in 1998, replacing human weather observers.

Trenton–Mercer Airport has two asphalt runways and three helipads. It is home to several flight schools, the Army Aviation Support Facility #2, and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment of the New Jersey Army National Guard. The airport serves one scheduled airline and offers general and corporate aviation services. With approximately 308 aircraft operations per day, it is the third busiest airport in New Jersey.

Airport facilities and services

Trenton–Mercer Airport is a county-owned, joint civil–military, public airport located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. The airport covers 1,345 acres at an elevation of 212 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: 6/24, which is 6,006 by 150 feet, and 16/34, which is 4,800 by 150 feet. The airport also has three helipads, H1, H2, and H3, each 64 by 64 feet.

Trenton–Mercer Airport is easily accessible from I-95, U.S. 1, and I-295, making it a convenient option for travellers in the area. The airport offers affordable parking just a short walk from check-in, and competitive fares. Trenton–Mercer is served by Frontier Airlines, which offers non-stop flights to various destinations, including Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Myers, Florida. The airport is also home to multiple flight schools, including Infinity Flight Group, Mercer County Community College, and an ATP Flight School location.

In addition to flight schools, Trenton–Mercer Airport houses several military units. This includes the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment, also known as the 1-150th General Support Aviation Battalion of the New Jersey Army National Guard. The battalion is equipped with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and provides additional air assault, transportation, re-supply, and command and control assets to ground force commanders of the 42nd Infantry Division. The airport is also home to the Twin Pine Composite Squadron of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

Trenton–Mercer Airport has a long history, dating back to 1907 when the first airplane landed there. During World War II, the nearby General Motors Inland Fisher Guide Plant began manufacturing torpedo bombers for the US Navy, leading to the expansion of what was then Skillman Airport. After the war, the airport returned to county control and was renamed Mercer County Airport. The Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton was constructed adjacent to the airport and remained open until 1997. In 1995, the airport was renamed Trenton–Mercer Airport to associate it with the city of Trenton, the state capital.

Transport to and from the airport

Trenton–Mercer Airport is located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. The airport is accessible by car, bus, and train.

If you are driving to the airport, it is located just off I-295 in Ewing, New Jersey. The airport has two parking lots just off the terminal named after Amelia Earhart and the Tuskegee Airmen, with a third spill-over parking lot located about three minutes from the main terminal. Parking is $2 per hour or $10 for a full day, and a shuttle service is provided from the furthest lots.

If you are taking public transportation, New Jersey Transit provides bus service to the airfield from the West Trenton Rail Station, the Hamilton Rail Station, and the Trenton Transit Center. The NJ Transit Route 608 bus stops on Sam Weinroth Road near the terminal, and connects to the West Trenton Line to Center City Philadelphia, the Trenton Transit Center for connections to Amtrak, the Northeast Corridor Line to Newark/New York, the River Line to Camden, and other destinations in South Jersey, Philadelphia, and Mercer County.

For those travelling by train, the Trenton Transit Center is serviced by Amtrak and SEPTA railroads, with connections to Center City Philadelphia and other destinations.

In addition, Mercer County has a variety of taxicab companies that operate from the Trenton Transit Center.

Expansion plans

Trenton–Mercer Airport, formerly known as Mercer County Airport, is located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. The airport covers 1,345 acres at an elevation of 212 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways and three helipads. Trenton–Mercer Airport is home to multiple flight schools, the Army Aviation Support Facility #2, and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment of the New Jersey Army National Guard.

Trenton–Mercer Airport has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, with an increasing number of travellers choosing the airport for its convenience and cost-effectiveness. In 2013, the airport served 147,826 passengers, and in 2017, this number jumped to 727,252. As of 2023, the airport is the third-busiest in New Jersey, with a total of 601,000 passengers arriving and departing in the 12 months ending in July of that year.

To accommodate this growing demand, the Mercer County-owned airport has expansion plans in the works. The main focus of these plans is to quadruple the size of the existing terminal and build a new parking garage with a capacity for approximately 1,040 cars and trucks. The current terminal, constructed in 1975, can feel cramped due to the significant amount of space dedicated to security and screening devices implemented after the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks. The expansion aims to provide modern amenities that travellers seek, potentially attracting more airlines and continuing the airport's growth trajectory.

However, these expansion plans have faced opposition from nearby residents in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on their quality of life, with worries about increased air and water pollution, as well as the possibility of homes and trees being removed to make way for the expanded infrastructure. Despite this opposition, officials in Mercer County have stated their intention to move forward with the construction, with the new terminal projected to be completed by 2024.

Flight schools and military presence

Trenton–Mercer Airport, formerly known as Mercer County Airport, is a county-owned, joint civil–military, public airport located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. The airport covers 1,345 acres at an elevation of 212 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways and three helipads.

Trenton–Mercer Airport is home to multiple flight schools, including the Infinity Flight Group, Mercer County Community College (MCCC), and an ATP Flight School location. MCCC's Aviation Flight Technology program is the only 2-year AABI-accredited Aviation Degree Program in the nation. The program provides flight instruction for the private and commercial certificates, as well as the instrument rating. Infinity Flight Group also offers various training tracks to meet individual needs.

The airport also has a significant military presence. It is home to Army Aviation Support Facility #2 and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment, or the 1-150th General Support Aviation Battalion of the New Jersey Army National Guard. This battalion is equipped with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and provides additional air assault, transportation, re-supply, and command and control assets to the ground force commanders of the 42nd Infantry Division. The unit also provides emergency logistical support in response to disasters or other emergencies as directed by the Governor of New Jersey.

The Twin Pine Composite Squadron (NER-NJ-092) of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is also based at Trenton–Mercer Airport. During World War II, the nearby General Motors Inland Fisher Guide Plant supported the military effort by producing Grumman TBF Avenger carrier-based torpedo bombers for the United States Navy. Skillman Airport, which later became Mercer County Airport, expanded to accommodate test flights of this aircraft. After the war, the Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton was constructed adjacent to the airport and remained open until 1997.

Frequently asked questions