JetBlue a good match for Islip

JetBlue, you're clear for takeoff.

That's the message Long Island hopes to hear soon.

The underused Long Island MacArthur Airport, which now only offers flights through Southwest and United Airways Express, hopes to add JetBlue Airways to its short list. The airport in Ronkonkoma, which has the infrastructure to add 40 to 50 flights per day, is among three finalists courting JetBlue, which is looking for new gateways in the Northeast.

MacArthur would give the airline a chance to expand its brand in a large market with a growing demand. Long Island's population is greater than 19 states and currently, a disproportionate number of the flights taken by its residents -- 3 million out of 4 million -- are from the major New York airports because of MacArthur's limited destinations and flights.

Landing JetBlue would also give the Town of Islip, the airport's operator, the thrust to land a major international carrier as well. The midsize airport, which already has U.S. Customs and Border Protection staff, is looking more attractive to other carriers as the airports in Queens become ever more congested. Besides the convenience, especially for Suffolk residents, a new carrier would provide 800 jobs and generate $24 million for the local economy, according to airport officials.

Any decision by JetBlue is still up in the air, but choosing Long Island would be a win-win for both business and consumers.