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07-2000
By Gary W. Wojtas
Question: Which Long Island airport had the most takeoffs and landings, employs the most people, houses the most aircraft, yet also is by far the smallest in acreage and contains only two runways? If you answered Republic Airport in East Farmingdale, you’re right.
Sometimes overshadowed by the size and scope of its New York City counterparts and even its commercial neighbor on Long Island, Islip MacArthur Airport, Republic has carved out quite a niche for itself in corporate aviation, one that makes it the third busiest airport in all of New York State.
The airport has a rich aviation history on Long Island. Republic was founded in 1927, as a private air strip owned by Fairchild, Grumman, Hiller and Republic, the same year as Charles Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic flight originating at Mitchell Field. In the late 1960s Republic Airport was sold by Fairchild to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). In 1982 it was taken over by its current owner the New York State Department of Transportation.
Republic’s current business can be broken down into four categories: corporate aviation, leisure flights, private charters and flight training. Many of Long Island’s largest companies house their planes at Republic. “In terms of Long Island transportation, location is everything. Our location right on the Nassau Suffolk border along the Route 110 corridor is perfect for Long Island business travelers,” explains Hugh Jones, Republic Airport manager.
Jim McCann, CEO of 1-800-flowers.com, who frequently uses Republic, agrees, "Despite having 3 large airports in the metro area, Long Island would be at a big disadvantage without Republic Airport," he said. "Republic provides a good airport that is far more convenient than the major airports. This is of tremendous value for those corporations on Long Island that take advantage of the facility, not to mention all the corporations and out-of-state visitors we want to attract to the Island." Beyond its location, Republic has been defined as an economic leader for the region. A survey conducted by Wilbur Smith and Associates in the early 1990s showed that in New York the statewide economic impact for all general aviation-non-carrier airports was $201 million per year, $72 million or 35% of that total was generated by Republic. Niagara Falls airport was a distant second at $10 million.
Jones explained the economic impact comes from employee salaries, airport fees, parking fees and hotel use. Republic boasts 900 full time jobs and 500 planes housed at the airport. It had 240,000 total operations in 1999 which makes it the third busiest airport in the state behind Kennedy and LaGuardia and 17th largest in the country.
In recent years Republic has seen steady growth. A total of 172,256 takeoffs and landings occurred in 1999. This was a 6.6% increase in activity over 1998. Jet traffic increased by nearly 20% while single engine aircraft volume was up 6%. Turbine powered aircraft and twins were down 5% and 1% respectively.
Total annual activity volumes for 1999 shows that the volume of total traffic increased by 9,498 operations. This is the largest annual total during the last decade. Jet activity increased to 5.2% of total operations. A total of 9,038 jet operations were reported. Turboprop activity, which includes charter passenger aircraft types, decreased 4.9 percent in 1999. Twin engine propeller driven aircraft movements decreased 1.4 percent. Single engine propeller aircraft operations increased by over 6 percent. Touch and go activity, i.e., training operations, increased over 12.7 percent.
As the local economy has grown stronger, so has Republic. Its business has increased as more companies see the advantage of fractional ownership and sharing the use of corporate aircraft. Fractional ownership allows businesses to purchase time-shares in business corporate aircraft. Most companies were unable to afford this type of service before, but now, by sharing the expense of the aircraft with other companies, even small businesses can partake. Corporate jet aircraft provide unscheduled service that specifically caters to the needs of the individual business. The service is akin to that of first class service on major carrier airlines. More and more businesses are realizing that it is more economical to use corporate aircraft, especially when the service is better and accommodates more of their needs.
According to Executive Jet, one of the largest corporate jet companies which has a strong presence at Republic, fractional ownership best fits the needs of individuals and companies who fly between 50 and 400 occupied hours a year. Beyond the ownership costs, a fractional jet owner must also pay a monthly management fee and occupied hourly fee for each hour of flight. Although Republic Airport does feature some passenger flights to Atlantic City, NJ, they total only 26,000- 32,000 passengers per year, which is very small in terms of passenger movement. “Business transportation is our role on Long Island, just like commercial aviation is MacArthur Airport’s role,” says Jones. Corporate aviation is on the upswing and Jones does not see this trend decreasing. “With the advent of new jets like the Bombardir and the Grumman Gulfstream 5, corporate fliers can now fly direct from Republic to central Europe non-stop,” he said. These newer corporate jets are larger than their predecessors. They seat 10-12 passengers; have more weight and larger wing spans.
As with any airport, Republic’s relationship with its surrounding community has been tenuous at times. Residents complain about the air traffic, the noise and the potential for growth and lengthening of the runways to allow larger planes. Jones says that Republic officials have put numerous steps in place to keep the community informed and involved. “We have set up a noise hotline and have also initiated an advisory committee for the airport, which area residents can become members of.” Airport officials also regularly report noise levels to area elected officials to keep them abreast about what is going on at the airport.
While Islip MacArthur Airport still dwarfs Republic in terms of moving passengers—900,000 vs. 26,000 commercial, it had 30,000 fewer plane movements and housed 200 fewer planes in 1998. MacArthur is also continuing to grow, now featuring 8 carriers and its expanded and enclosed 19 gate terminal building.
MacArthur’s Terminal Renovation and Improvement Project was completed in the summer of 1999 it included an expanded baggage area, relocation of airline counters and roadway improvements. The airport is owned and operated by Islip Town.
Other Long Island airports are also experiencing growth. At Brookhaven Calabro Airport Manager Pat Pulsonetti says that the airport has seen a continual growth during the past five years. “Flying is more popular and at Brookhaven with the Dowling College aviation program housed here, that has contributed to our growth.” Brookhaven Calabro had about 72,000 plane movements last year and houses slightly more than 200 planes. Fractional ownership is also prevalent at that airport. “It helps people offset some of the huge maintenance fees in owning an aircraft,” says Pulsonetti. The airport does have some plans for growth. A new airport master plan is being developed which could include a new tower, taxiways and access roads, constructed within the next two years. At Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach annual plane movements have grown to over 83,000 last year. Because of its 9,000-foot runway, Gabreski can take aircraft as large as a 727. The airport employs 625 people and houses about 100 airplanes. It is also the base for the New York Air National Guard 106th Rescue Group.
Father east lies the smallest of Long Island’s airports, East Hampton. That airport houses 135 planes year round and peaks at 240 during the summer season. East Hampton Airport had more than 39,000 plane movements last year and employs 50 people.
Long Island is in the unique position of benefiting from two of the world's most acclaimed airports with John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia in close proximity, but it also can boast six of its own smaller airports, each catering to a different need in air travel. Whether it be the variety of choice and service at MacArthur, the personalized service provided by corporate air travel or flight school options offered by Republic and Calabro, the long runway at Gabreski or the elite clientele who visit East Hampton, the Island's airports are a force to be reckoned with.
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