USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards today revealed Long Island MacArthur Airport as a winner in the Best Small Airport category, which includes airports with fewer than 10 million passengers each year.
“The Long Island community really came together to support us, and we are so grateful,” said MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken. “We were honored when an independent panel of travel experts nominated MacArthur Airport and 14 other airports as friendlier and easier to use. Today, we celebrate a win for Long Island and our loyal MacArthur Airport customers,” she added.
The awards competition describes the winning facilities as being “smaller, friendlier airports that take some of the headache out of travel” providing “easy access and amenities” and “places that inspire us.”
“This vote of confidence for MacArthur Airport means so much to us. We work hard each day with health and safety as the top priority. We also focus on providing peace of mind, customer excellence, innovations, options, and amenities at the airport,” said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “We recognize the role we play as an economic engine for Long Island, and continue to bring infrastructure improvements, jobs and opportunities to help rebuild our community. During 2020, we upgraded taxiways and apron areas, celebrated the opening of the first new hangar in 20 years, and began work on a new Ground Vehicle Transportation Center. Despite the very difficult challenges, we continue to move forward with vigor and enthusiasm,” she added.
While the overall convenience of MacArthur Airport is highlighted in the awards, there are many additional measures airport leadership has put into place to make the facility clean and comfortable as people begin to travel again.
“We offer travelers COVID 19 appointment scheduling available right at the airport,” explained LaRose-Arken. “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. Those benefits along with upgrades to TSA systems are just a few of the things we are doing to offer peace of mind as customers get back to flying again when the time is right,” she added.
The Top Ten winners in the Best Small Airport category are as follows:
- 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
“We believe this top ranking further demonstrates our ability to conveniently serve New York travelers. We thank this community, our airlines, and our dedicated airport staff for their ongoing commitment to health and safety, and customer excellence,” LaRose-Arken said. “We are humble to accept this important recognition of our accomplishments especially during these unprecedented times,” she added.
