Letters: More suggestions for Islip airport
Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, April 23, 2014. Credit: Randee Daddona
Shops, restaurants and bars, Long Island wines and a radio station at MacArthur Airport? Wow! ["Lauding MacArthur upgrades," News, Dec. 5] But best of all is the new vehicle transport service with weekly auto shipping to Florida
However, while all of these services improve Islip's airport, what MacArthur really needs is: airlines, flights, destinations, competitive pricing and more nonstop flights.
On a recent trip to Phoenix from Long Island, I had a four-hour layover in Baltimore, which doubled my travel time. Unacceptable.
Hopefully, the powers that be will realize what it will really take to make the airport take off.
Delores Plunkett, Sayville
It's all well and good that Islip is upgrading Long Island MacArthur Airport by adding a restaurant, bar and grill, retail shops, etc. But the fact is that very few people other than those flying in and out of the airport will visit those shops, because of the airport's outrageous short-term parking fees.
And let's face it, MacArthur is not a layover airport. Not many people hang around there because they are waiting for a connecting flight. Hence, little additional business for the shops.
What Islip officials could do is dedicate a portion of their underused parking area for shoppers and diners. Or perhaps they could use a voucher system to allow people fee-free parking for browsing, shopping and eating at the airport.
Bill Ciesla, Northport
