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Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP) 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 was originally named Islip Airport, in honour of WWII General Douglas MacArthur, and was later renamed to MacArthur Airport.
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What You'll Learn
Long Island MacArthur Airport's history
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP) was established in 1942, just four months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The airport was originally named Islip Airport, after the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, New York, where it is located. The Town of Islip contracted with the Federal Government to build an airfield on town-owned land for military use.
The airport was activated in 1943 and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960, when Allegheny Airlines became the first airline to operate scheduled passenger service with flights out of MacArthur. Throughout the 20th century, the airport underwent many expansions and transformations. In 1999, the airport recorded a 113% increase in passenger boardings, and for the first time, handled two million annual passengers.
In 2006, a new $90 million terminal building was completed by Southwest Airlines, and the airport has since become one of the strongest regional airports in the country. As of 2023, the airport provides flights to over 1.2 million passengers annually and is served by four commercial air carriers: Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines. The airport has three runways and two helipads and covers 1,311 acres.
The airport has continued to undergo improvements and expansions, with $26 million in federally and locally funded capital projects announced in 2023. In January 2025, it was announced that Amtrak will establish a new Northeast Regional route on Long Island, terminating at the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, thus providing MacArthur Airport with inter-city rail service.
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General Douglas MacArthur, the airport's namesake
Long Island MacArthur Airport, formerly known as Islip Airport, is a public airport in Ronkonkoma, New York. It was established in 1942, activated in 1943, and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960. The airport was originally named Islip Airport in honour of General Douglas MacArthur. It was later renamed MacArthur Airport, in honour of World War II General Douglas MacArthur.
General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was an American five-star general. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theatre during World War II. He was also responsible for overseeing the successful occupation of Japan after World War II. MacArthur was a recipient of numerous awards and honours, including the Medal of Honour and the Philippine Medal of Valor.
MacArthur graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1903 and joined the US Army Corps of Engineers. He served with distinction in the Veracruz expedition in 1914 and in the Rainbow Division during World War I. In 1930, he became the Army's Chief of Staff and undertook a programme of reform to prepare the US military for potential future wars. In 1941, MacArthur was sent to the Philippines to lead US forces in the Pacific. He was forced to flee to Australia in 1942, where he made his famous promise, "I shall return". He kept this promise in 1944 when he led the Allied forces back to the Philippines.
After World War II, MacArthur oversaw the occupation of Japan and guided the country's transition to democracy. He was in charge of the US occupation forces in Japan and held the rank of General of the Army, a five-star general. MacArthur was responsible for implementing a number of liberalising reforms, including granting women the right to vote, establishing free elections, and enacting land reform. MacArthur also oversaw the drafting and enactment of a new constitution for Japan, which renounced war and established a parliamentary democracy.
General Douglas MacArthur was a highly decorated and respected military leader who played a significant role in World War II and the post-war occupation of Japan. His contributions to the US military and his leadership in the Pacific theatre were instrumental in shaping the outcome of World War II. MacArthur's legacy continues to be honoured, including through the naming of Long Island MacArthur Airport.
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The airport's location and ownership
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP) is located in Ronkonkoma, New York, within the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island. It is about 50 miles from New York City, 72 miles from Montauk Point, and 60 miles from Manhattan. The airport is easily accessible from three major east-west thoroughfares: located one mile north of Sunrise Highway and four miles south of Long Island Expressway. Shuttle buses connect the airport to the Long Island Rail Road's Ronkonkoma station.
The airport was established in 1942, activated in 1943, and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960. It has been owned and operated by the Town of Islip since 1944. Covering 1,311 acres, it has three runways and two helipads. The airport has undergone many expansions and transformations throughout the 20th century.
Long Island MacArthur Airport is a public airport that serves Nassau and Suffolk counties as an alternative to John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, which are located in Queens, New York City. It is also an alternative to Newark Airport. In 2023, the airport began $26 million in federally and locally funded capital projects, including terminal improvements and the replacement of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The airport has a large demographic of travelers from Suffolk and Nassau counties and is conveniently located close to the New York metro market.
The airport is named after General Douglas MacArthur, with its original name being Islip Airport.
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Airlines that serve the airport
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. 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 and is owned and operated by the Town of Islip.
Long Island MacArthur Airport serves as an alternative to John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, both located in Queens, New York City. Several airlines serve MacArthur Airport, providing flights to various destinations across the United States and internationally.
- Southwest Airlines: Southwest has served MacArthur Airport since 1999 and offers flights to various destinations, including Baltimore, Chicago Midway Airport, Nashville, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. They also provide connections to other airports and destinations across the United States and the Caribbean.
- Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA): Operating as Delta Connection, ASA offered nonstop flights to the Delta Air Lines hub in Atlanta using Canadair CRJ-200s.
- Comair: Comair, also operating as Delta Connection, provided nonstop flights to Delta's hub in Cincinnati using Canadair CRJ-200s.
- Continental Express: This airline offered nonstop flights to the Continental Airlines hub in Cleveland using Embraer ERJ-145s. They also served the airport in the early 2000s with regional jets before ending service in 2005.
- Spirit Airlines: Spirit Airlines previously served MacArthur Airport, offering flights to several Florida cities and Detroit before moving to LaGuardia Airport in 2001. They briefly resumed service to Fort Lauderdale in 2008.
- Allegiant Air: This airline operated seasonal flights to Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, Florida, using McDonnell Douglas MD-80s but no longer serves the airport.
- PenAir: PenAir provided nonstop daily flights to Boston from 2013 to 2014.
- American Airlines: American Airlines, through its regional affiliate Piedmont Airlines, offered code-share flights to Philadelphia. Their service to Washington–National ended in 2014 after a merger with US Airways.
- Ryanair: The Irish ultra-low-cost airline proposed flights between MacArthur Airport and Dublin, Ireland, but the plan was ultimately called off.
- Breeze Airways: Breeze Airways is a newer airline at MacArthur Airport, providing flights to various destinations.
- Frontier Airlines: Frontier Airlines serves MacArthur Airport, offering nonstop flights to multiple destinations and connections across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
- JetBlue Airways: JetBlue Airways is one of the commercial air carriers at MacArthur Airport, providing service to over 10 nonstop destinations.
- Avelo Airlines: Avelo Airlines serves MacArthur Airport, offering flights to various destinations.
These airlines have provided varying levels of service to MacArthur Airport over the years, with some still offering regular flights to multiple destinations. The airport continues to expand and improve its facilities to accommodate more passengers and airlines.
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Accidents and incidents at the airport
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP, ICAO: KISP, FAA LID: ISP) 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 has three runways and two helipads.
April 4, 1955
A Douglas DC-6 from United Airlines operating on a pilot test flight bound for LaGuardia Airport lost control soon after takeoff and crashed, killing all three crew members on board.
November 23, 1999
A US Army National Guard UH-1H "Huey" helicopter crashed in fog during an attempted landing after training exercises above eastern Long Island. This incident resulted in two fatalities and two injuries.
July 25, 2008
A bomb threat was received for Southwest Airlines Flight 2622, which was bound for Chicago.
July 22, 2024
A single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 plane crashed near the end of the runway during takeoff from MacArthur Airport, killing the pilot and passenger, 46-year-old Christopher Kucera and 43-year-old Zachary Hatcher, both residents of Virginia. The National Transportation Safety Board stated that the investigation could take months.
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Frequently asked questions
MacArthur Airport is named after WWII General Douglas MacArthur.
MacArthur Airport is located in Ronkonkoma, New York, within the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island.
MacArthur Airport was established in 1942, activated in 1943, and began serving as a commercial airport in 1960.
MacArthur Airport has three runways and two helipads.
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