New York state is chipping in millions to help Suffolk County’s expansion and rehabilitation efforts at MacArthur Airport, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.
The $150 million in state cash for the project will help cover the costs of purchasing a 48 acre parcel, building a pedestrian pathway to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, as well as building out other infrastructure to help the county get the rest of the project off the ground.
“This gets all that going,” Hochul told reporters after her announcement with county and local leaders at MacArthur’s baggage terminal.
Gov. Kathy Hochul speaking at MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma on Feb. 12, 2025. Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
New York state announced it will contribute $150 million to upgrade MacArthur Airport. James Messerschmidt“It’s the sewer, the roads, the connection, the arterials. We’ve already invested money here in the airport and the county is going to be allocating $50 million as well. Timeline, in my world, as soon as possible,” Hochul continued.
A shuttle bus currently runs from the Ronkonkoma LIRR station to the terminal.
Hochul said airports like MacArthur are the “doormat to the rest of the world.”
“It’s a good sign to businesses that we’re trying to recruit here, as well as the hometown residents who deserve nothing but the best,” Hochul said.
The $150 million builds on a $40 million commitment from the state announced in 2022 for the new north terminal.
“We don’t fly without the wings of many people that lift us up. Without a great town supervisor and town board, without a great governor working together to do things,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, a Republican, said.
The state funding will help a number of projects at the airport including building a pedestrian pathway to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station. James Messerschmidt
People waiting on line for security checks at MacArthur Airport. James Messerschmidt
The baggage claim at MacArthur Airport. James MesserschmidtRomaine said that Suffolk County would be following up with its own commitment of at least $50 million towards infrastructure.
“With this investment, we are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth, bringing in high-quality jobs, and creating new opportunities for our young professionals to live and work right here in our community,” Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter wrote in a statement.
The Town of Islip owns and operates the airport, which was first erected as a military airfield in 1942.
The airport currently serves commercial and general flights, according to the FAA.
More than 5,000 people fly through the airport each day, amounting to around 1.6 million passengers a year, according to the town’s website.
“We thank the Governor for her investment in the Infrastructure surrounding the Ronkonkoma train station. We believe this investment goes hand in hand with the County’s continued investment to provide for the economic development of this important area of the county,” Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey said
“The LIRR is the fastest, safest and most economical way to travel across Long Island and this project is a unique opportunity to help take more cars off the roads,” LIRR President Rob Free said.
“Moving MacArthur’s terminal closer to Ronkonkoma station will encourage people to take the train to the airport. The LIRR is already the best travel experience to JFK and we are ready to help MacArthur Airport grow by bringing that same great travel experience there too,” Free continued.
