In 1943, the Town of Islip provided land on which the United States Government spent $1.5 million to build the Long IslandMacArthurAirport, an air base for potential use during World War II. The Town constructed the first terminal in 1949, and the "General MacArthur Terminal" opened in 1966. The name of the Airport was changed to Long IslandMacArthurAirport in 1978.Commercial passenger service commenced in the early 1960s with service to Boston and Washington on Allegheny Airlines.
The Federal Aviation Administration constructed the current seven-story control tower at the Airport in 1962 along with the FAAFlightServiceCenter which provided weather information and assisted general aviation.The 45,000 square-foot terminal originally opened in 1966 and expanded in later years as new air service was introduced by various commercial carriers. With the addition of east and west concourses and new ticketing and baggage areas, the enclosed area of the terminal expanded to approximately 121,000 sq. ft. by 2002.
In 2004 a total of 114,000 sq. ft. was added to the passenger service area of the Airport with the completion of the Veterans Memorial Concourse. This $60 million expansion hosts four passenger gates, a new aircraft parking apron and additional security screening areas. The Veterans Memorial Concourse also includes elevators and escalators, administrative offices, public restrooms, one newspaper/gift shop and four restaurants. Phase II of the project, completed in November, 2006, included the addition of four more passenger gates, one gift shop and a link to the Main Terminal.Over 2.1 million passengers passed through the Airport in 2007, an average of more than 5,500 per day on 60 flights per day.
The construction of a New FAA Control Tower began in late 2008, and the new state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open in the summer of 2010.
Long Island MacArthur Airport 100 Arrivals Avenue Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 631-467-3210
Traveling West to East
Long Island Expressway (495), Exit 57, South Service Road-second light on service road will be Veterans Memorial Highway (454). Turn right on Veteran Memorial Highway, travel approximately five (5) miles to Johnson Avenue, (will see signs for Airport) turn left into the Airport. Southern State Parkway, Exit 44, East, Sunrise Highway (27). Travel approximately five (5) miles to Exit 49, go to second light on service road (Johnson Avenue). Turn left on Johnson Avenue, travel north to the Airport. Sunrise Highway (27), Travel to Exit 49, go to second light on service road (Johnson Avenue). Turn left on Johnson Avenue, travel north to the Airport.
Traveling East to West
Sunrise Highway (27) to Exit 50A. Turn right on Johnson Avenue, travel approximately one (1) mile.
Long Island Expressway (495), Exit 60, North Service Road. Second light on service road will be Ronkonkoma Avenue. Turn left on Ronkonkoma Avenue, travel over bridge; road becomes Smithtown Avenue(road just changes name). At light, turn left on Lakeland Avenue. At next light, turn left on Veterans Memorial Highway. Travel on Veterans Memorial Highway until you reach Johnson Avenue, turn left into Airport.
From Port Jefferson - LIE (495) to Nichols Road South. Travel west on Sunrise Hwy (Exit 50A) and right on Johnson Avenue. Travel approximately one (1) mile.
From Northeast U.S, including upstate NY
Take I-95 to I-695 (Throgs Neck Expressway). I-695 becomes I-295 (Clearview Expressway) Cross Throgs Neck Bridge. Stay on I-295 to I-495 East (LIE)(follow LIE West to East directions above).
This study will facilitate an increase in airport operations. The project consists of reviewing traffic, fares, load factors and capacity for the respective trends when compared to mutually selected peer airports, and those located within the greater New York metropolitan area. The Aviation Demand Upadate will review forecasts from the 1990 Master Plan, the 2002 Terminal Area Plan and the FAA Regional Air Service Demand Study conducted in 2007. A detailed leakage study is also part of this Federally funded project.
Development of an updated demand forecast for passengers, cargo and general aviation, increasing productivity for airport operations. This study will help with the retention of existing air service, both commercial and general aviation, and the addition of new air service.
Rehabilitation Runway 6-24 Lighting
This project consists of removing the existing cables that are direct burial and replacing them with new cables in conduit between edge lights, threshold lights, signage and the electrical vault.
The existing cables controlling the runway edge lights and threshold lights were originally installed in 1993 and have taken innumerable lightning strikes. The lighting system has reached its maximum life span and is need of replacement.
Install Runway Centerline Lights, Touchdown Zone Lights, and Guard Lights for RWY 6/24
This project consists of the installation of new in-pavement lighting for the centerline and Runway 24 touchdown zone. It also consists of the installation of Runway Guard Lights at the intersections of Runway 6 and 24. Other work includes coring, trenching, conduit, wiring, regulators, electrical vault work, duct banks, electrical manholes, pavement markings, pavement restoration, topsoil and seeding.
Increases safety on the airfield for arrivals on Runway 24 and departures on Runway 6 and 24. This project will reduce minimums and provide “active runway lights” at runway/taxiway hold lines. Runway Visual Range will be reduced from 1200 feet to 600 feet for roll out (take-off), and from 2400 feet to 1200 feet touch down (landing). The Guard Lights will provide additional security measures at runway intersections.
Terminal Area Roadway Improvements
Stated to begin this summer, The Terminal Area Roadway Improvement Project calls for the construction of several new roadways, the east access roadway and it will also include improvements to the airport exit road to the Veterans Highway and terminal frontage roadway. Also included is a new dynamic messaging signage system, frontage roadway canopy by the ticketing and baggage claim wings, speed bumps and truck traps at Air Operations Area gates.
This will allow for easier access in and around the front of terminal. The canopy affords passengers protection from inclement weather.
Resident Parking Permit For Islip Residents only Resident Parking Information: 631 467-3784
A person who resides in the Town of Islip, or who holds a deed in his or her name to real property in the Town of Islip, may apply for a sticker that will permit the use of Resident Parking areas at the Long Island MacArthur Airport. To obtain a permit:
1. Please download and complete the application form. Submit by mail, the completed form together with a copy of both your license and the valid registration for your vehicle. The registration must state your Town of Islip address. The license plate number of the registration you submit will be indicated on your permit sticker, which is non-transferable. Any vehicle registration bearing a post office box or non-Islip address must beaccompanied by proof of residency. Acceptable proof of residency consists of either:
A. A copy of a property tax bill in your name, or
B. Both a residential utility bill AND a lease agreement in your name.
Note: If you use a car that is registered to a business, a notarized letter stating that you are the exclusive user of said vehicle must be submitted together with proof of residency.
2. Include a check payable to the Town of Islip for the appropriate fee as follows:
One year permit
$20.00
Two year permit
$35.00
Senior Citizen permit
50% discount of above fees.
One year: $10; Two-year: $17.50
Submit proof of age (Must be 60 or older)
Proof of age must accompany an application for a discount. Acceptable proof of age is a driver's license, passport or birth certificate. Please note that the vehicle registration must state the same address as that of the person seeking the senior citizen discount.
3. Mail parking permit application for Long Island MacArthur Airport to:
Long Island MacArthur Airport Resident Parking Bureau 100 Arrivals Avenue, Suite 100 Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Submit the application a minimum of three weeks prior to any upcoming trip to be sure that you receive the sticker in time. Permits will be delivered by mail.
4. Display the permit sticker by permanently affixing it to the interior of the rear window. A sticker that is taped to the interior of the window is not valid for the use of the Resident Parking areas and will result in a ticket or towing.
Handicap Parking
Handicap Parking spots are the the closest to the terminal.The terminal is also handicap accessible. Please contact your airline ahead of time if you need special arrangements.