ISP Celebrates Southwest Airlines' Inaugural Service to Miami
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MacArthur Airport and Southwest Airlines Celebrate
New Nonstop Take Offs and Touchdowns to Miami
Islip, NY – November 3, 2024 – Today Long Islanders are coming together to cheer for Miami as Southwest Airlines begins nonstop flights from MacArthur Airport to this South Florida hot spot.
“Nonstop service to Miami on Southwest is a win for Long Island,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “About this time of year, trips to Florida sound especially appealing. Long Islanders love to travel, and Miami is an exciting destination with sunshine, great food, amazing music, history, culture, and world-class beaches,” she added.
Miami is also well-known for its professional sports teams and to celebrate the new destination, MacArthur Airport’s Gate A5-8 featured an upbeat Miami big-time sporting team theme. The event was commemorated by foam footballs, blue and orange grid-iron accents, and a rare appearance from airport staff dressed in Miami football jerseys.
“It takes something special to get Long Islanders cheering for Miami, and this exciting day for MacArthur Airport and enticing destination on Southwest Airlines are special indeed,” said Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken. “We look forward to welcoming visitors from Miami to our region and to taking off to sunny skies, family getaways, and for business travel. This is a touchdown for Team Long Island,” she added.
Community leaders, business representatives, elected officials, airline leadership, and passengers from across Long Island will join with Town of Islip Board Members and Airport Staff to celebrate the new Miami nonstop service.
“With our expanded service to Florida, Long Islanders will have even more access to the places that matter most in their lives,” said Brook Sorem, Vice President of Network Planning at Southwest Airlines. “Whether traveling for work or fun, the addition of our new nonstop service
to Miami brings a faster journey to Customers who are ready to take in everything South Florida has to offer.”
Southwest Airlines has served Long Island MacArthur Airport as a well-loved air carrier since 1999. Today, it serves 10 destinations on up to 12 departures a day including daily service to Baltimore/Washington, Orlando, and West Palm Beach. Southwest also serves Tampa nonstop seasonally throughout the year.
In addition to the convenience for travelers on Long Island and visitors coming to our area, this new air service is important in terms of job creation and economic stability for the region.
“Nassau and Suffolk counties will both benefit from the addition of the vibrant destination of Miami on Southwest Airlines,” said HIA-LI Director and Airport Advisory Board Member Joe Campolo. “Miami is the gateway to Latin America with a thriving economy that’s increasingly important to US business, trade, and travel. We look forward to the opportunities this service will bring for our economy and appreciate the convenience of easy travel for business and more. This is good for Long Island’s future and the ongoing growth and momentum we’re enjoying at MacArthur Airport,” he added.
ABOUT LONG ISLAND MACARTHUR AIRPORT: MacArthur Airport is on Long Island approximately 50 miles from New York City. It is the closest airport to 2.8 million Long Island residents, and to world-renowned attractions including the famous Hamptons, Wine Country, lighthouses, Fire Island, excellent theatre, award-winning restaurants, and Gatsby-era mansions. The Town of Islip owns and operates the airport, served by Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest Airlines. Access to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) makes getting around Nassau and Suffolk counties convenient. Train service from the Ronkonkoma / MacArthur Airport LIRR to New York City provides frequent transport. Long Island MacArthur Airport employs 6000 people directly and indirectly, with a $16M annual operating budget and an economic impact of $600M to the region and local economy.
Additional Airport and Town of Islip resources:
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