FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Long Island MacArthur Airport Nominated as Finalist for 2024 Tourism Trailblazer Award

Islip, NY – December 3, 2024 – Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) is a finalist for the Tourism Trailblazer Award to be announced at the 2024 Tourism Awards Gala by Discover Long Island at the Bourne Mansion in the hamlet of Oakdale in the Town of Islip on December 3.

“We’re honored to be a finalist for this prestigious tourism award. In 2024, years of hard work came to fruition at Long Island MacArthur Airport with a new air carrier – JetBlue, new nonstop routes, a successful tourism campaign, and the launch of a new website,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “These accomplishments benefit Nassau and Suffolk counties in a major way with more on the horizon. On behalf of the Town Board, I extend our gratitude for this important nomination,” Carpenter added.

A Tourism Trailblazer Award nomination acknowledges new or renovated attractions or promotional campaigns that enhance tourism by creating opportunities for destination development, visitor retention, or promotion that lends to tourism growth or enhanced visitor experiences.

In October of 2024, the airport’s innovative air service development efforts resulted in JetBlue becoming ISP’s fourth air carrier with nonstop service to West Palm Beach, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. Additionally, in just over a year, Breeze Airways inaugurated three long sought-after nonstop Florida destinations from MacArthur Airport – Vero Beach, Sarasota, and year-round service to Fort Myers. Southwest Airlines also added its only nonstop service to Miami from the New York City region.

Airport marketing initiatives were expanded both on Long Island and, thanks to a tourism grant from Empire State Development, in several “out city” destinations served nonstop from ISP. A new website, FlyMacArthur.com, launched this spring for the first time, delivering attractive customized content to potential airport customers in destination cities. The airport’s social media accounts are followed by 40,000 and feature “Tourism Tuesdays” content during the spring and fall.

In the community, the Airport Holiday Concert series outreach brought Long Island school music programs into the terminal to perform. ISP’s STEM and Aviation partnership with Nassau County’s Cradle of Aviation Museum brought hands-on learning to Long Island students. Exciting MacArthur Airport pop-up activations showcased ISP at parks and festivals across Long Island, including the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park.

The Airport is completing terminal construction projects elevating its level of customer service and overall experience for passengers using the airport.

“This work, along with our efforts over the past eight years, represents a total of well over a $100 million in capital improvements that ensure the integrity of the airport’s infrastructure, including significant airfield updates, a new Fire House, the Ground Transportation Center, and important and over-due terminal improvements,” said Aviation Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken. “These achievements also help MacArthur Airport attract and retain air service and provide an excellent customer experience to both local airport passengers and to visitors,” she added.

Over 200 esteemed industry leaders will attend the 2024 Discover Long Island Tourism Awards which will feature the region’s Gold Coast Gatsby-era mansion heritage. The event will be held at the historic Bourne Mansion, itself a turn-of-the-century work of art that hosts elegant celebrations reflective of yesteryear.

“As a Board Chair of Discover Long Island, I see how Long Island MacArthur Airport and Discover Long Island work together to realize Long Island’s full potential. It is thanks to this collaboration that Long Island’s $6.6 billion tourism economy remains a powerful force for good for our region, both now and in the future,” said Mitch Pally, DLI Board Chair and Airport Advisory Board Chairman. “We are energized by the work taking place at Long Island MacArthur Airport and the tourism benefits to Long Island thanks to new air service from JetBlue,” 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 Airways 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 & Town of Islip resources:

FlyMacArthur.com

MacArthur Airport Facebook

MacArthur Airport Twitter/x

FlyMacArthur Instagram

Town of Islip Linktree