Islip MacArthur Airport (ISP) has been a regional favorite for years among locals, but its outsized economic influence is being fully realized by partners at the Town, County, and State levels. Not only has the airport brought in more destinations with its carriers, and not only is the epicenter of the Midway Crossing project, but it also clinched the position as the third-best small airport in the entire country, according to the USA Today 10Best survey results released earlier this month.
Now, the airport has an even bigger partner to help ensure the facility remains a fiscal boon to the area, but also to increase its footprint at home and across the country.
Officials gathered at Gate A1 inside the terminal to cut the ribbon on JetBlue’s inaugural flight from ISP, which was bound for Orlando, Florida.
“JetBlue will see that this was truly the right decision. The only thing they’ll be sorry about is that they didn’t do it sooner,” quipped Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) (pictured above). “This is a spur to the local economy and it would not be possible without our partners and the incredible staff they have.”
“This airport is an economic and regional asset for all of Long Island. JetBlue has been very helpful in getting the operation up and running over the last two months, which is no easy feat,” said ISP Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken (pictured below), adding that the airport now features eighteen non-stop destinations.
“This new service system established today for Long Island MacArthur Airport is a testament to our commitment to providing convenient travel options from Long Island,” said Daniel Shurz, head of Network, Revenue, and Enterprise Planning for JetBlue.
“In the spring, we were taking a different look at our network and we were looking at how our frequent-flier penetration is doing in different parts of the country, broadly speaking of the Northeast,” Shurz told The Messenger. “What we noticed is that there is a large number of TrueBlue members, and when we looked at the numbers, we found that it makes sense to offer service from Islip. We’ve got customers who will take advantage of it; we’re seeing very strong use of this by TrueBlue members already. It also gives us a chance to broaden our appeal. If customers take JetBlue from Islip, they’re more likely to think of taking us when they have to go on to JFK or LaGuardia.”
“This is great for Long Island, it’s an economic shot in the arm,” said County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches). “Now, I don’t have to go to JFK or LaGuardia. I can stay right here and go to Islip.”
JetBlue now offers direct flights from ISP to Orlando (MCO), Palm Beach (PBI), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Orlando flights operate daily. Palm Beach flights operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while Fort Lauderdale flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
As is JetBlue tradition, a painting is presented to the new airport partner with visual links to the assets of the destination in question. ISP’s painting features a lifeguard stand on a beach as a JetBlue airliner flies overhead. The word “Islip” sits at the bottom of the artwork. Members of the Town Board and Executive Romaine were each given a framed copy.
Islip Town officials, in addition to Supervisor Carpenter, were also present: Councilmen Jorge Guadrón (D-Central Islip), Mike McElwee (R-West Islip), and John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville), as well as Town Clerk Linda Vavricka (R-West Islip) and Tax Receiver Andy Wittman (R-Sayville).
Joining the Islip team also were Assemblyman Mike Durso (R-Massapequa Park), Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park), and representatives for Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood).
