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Islip’s Long Island MacArthur Airport climbed two spots on USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2021 Awards for Best Small Airport, moving up to fourth from sixth in 2020.
The news organization announced the results of four weeks of reader and customer voting online. The small airport category includes airports that annually serve fewer than 10 million passengers per year.
Finishing ahead of MacArthur were Myrtle Beach (South Carolina) International Airport, Huntsville (Alabama) International Airport and T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island.
“The Long Island community really came together to support us, and we are so grateful,” MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken said.
Before the voting took place, an independent panel of travel experts nominated MacArthur Airport and 14 other airports as friendlier and easier to use.
“We work hard each day with health and safety as the top priority,” Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said. “We also focus on providing peace of mind, customer excellence, innovations, options, and amenities at the airport.”
Carpenter noted the town continued to make improvements at the airport in 2020 — upgrading taxiways and apron areas, celebrating the opening of the first new hangar in 20 years and starting work on a new Ground Vehicle Transportation Center.
“Despite the very difficult challenges, we continue to move forward with vigor and enthusiasm,” she said.
LaRose-Arken pointed out airport leadership has also taken measures to keep the facility clean, safe and comfortable, as people begin to travel again.
“We offer travelers COVID-19 appointment scheduling available right at the airport,” she said. “We also provide an innovative 24/7 air purification system, and added antimicrobial films on high-touch surfaces. We always provide our customers extra space and limited lines.”
Top Ten: Best Small Airport category
- Myrtle Beach International Airport
- Huntsville International Airport
- T.F. Green Airport
- Long Island MacArthur Airport
- Piedmont Triad International Airport
- Paine Field
- Bradley International Airport
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport
- Des Moines International Airport