Mannix: LI ready for international takeoff

William Mannix is executive director of economic development for the Town of Islip.

Last year, more than 48 million tourists visited New York City, and 10 million of them arrived from overseas. The city benefited from the $31 billion tourists spent, and its hospitality industry was virtually recession- proof, despite the national economic downturn.

For Long Island, capturing even a small percentage of this New York-bound travel -- especially the lucrative international business -- could double the current $4.5 billion revenues of Long Island's tourism industry, which employs more than 70,000 people.

Bringing international air service to Long Island MacArthur Airport is an idea whose time has come. International travelers arriving at MacArthur would have easy access to the region's amenities, ranging from East End wineries to Belmont Park.

The airport would also offer unprecedented convenience for Long Islanders headed to Canada, the Caribbean and Europe. Even now, by connecting through their Philadelphia hub, USAirways customers can fly to 800 destinations worldwide from MacArthur Airport, including dozens of European cities. Furthermore, Southwest Airlines' acquisition of AirTran means its customers will soon have access to half a dozen Caribbean countries from MacArthur, through hubs in Baltimore and Atlanta.

If these airlines were able to offer direct flights from MacArthur to some of these destinations, it would be much more convenient for Long Islanders.

All the necessary components are here: infrastructure, mass transit and market demand. MacArthur Airport has the capacity to accommodate international air service immediately without any major structural improvements. Any aircraft that can land at LaGuardia Airport can land at MacArthur, so there is no need for runway expansion.

The recession has forced contraction at regional airports, and MacArthur is no exception. That means the airport has ample gate capacity to accommodate new service, but still remain a good neighbor to the surrounding community.

Finally, New York-bound international travelers can get one-stop mass transit to the heart of Manhattan at the nearby LIRR Ronkonkoma hub. For those who prefer the South Fork, the Montauk-bound line is a 10- minute cab ride from the airport.

To initiate commercial international air service, the airport must first obtain a commitment from an airline with international operations, followed by a commitment from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide appropriate resources. Offering international air service could be as simple as a few flights a day from "pre-cleared" destinations, where travelers entering the United States clear customs before leaving those countries: Aruba, Canada and Ireland are examples of pre-cleared countries.

Long Island has much to gain in strengthening MacArthur Airport. It already has become a magnet for jobs and development, provides the business sector with access to national markets, and supports our tourism industry. In the last six years, the Town of Islip has issued more than 200 building permits for new commercial and industrial space in a three-mile radius around the airport. During this same period, four hotels have been constructed in this area and two more are being planned -- an indication of increased business travel to the region.

As an international gateway for the Island and the region, the airport will do even more to support the strategic goals of business groups like the Association for a Better Long Island and the Long Island Association, who last January formed a partnership to promote the region, starting with our airport. As Long Island MacArthur Airport moves inevitably toward international air service, support from the business sector will continue to be critical.

The obligation of the Town of Islip to its residents is to operate a safe, convenient and community-friendly airport. In order to ensure that MacArthur remains a viable regional resource, additional airlines and expanded route choices, including international options, make a lot of sense.