KINGS PARK, NY – Two Long Island airports will receive a combined $9.5 million in federal grants to support major infrastructure and safety upgrades, part of a broader $21 million package awarded to 16 airports across New York State.
MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma will receive $3 million to enhance security around its perimeter. The funding will go toward constructing an eight-foot fence topped with barbed wire and installing a new surveillance system along approximately seven miles of airport boundary. According to airport officials, the work is expected to take eight months and will be completed without disrupting regular operations.
Republic Airport in East Farmingdale has been allocated $6.5 million for airfield improvements. The funds will be used to reconstruct an aging gate and rehabilitate more than 5,000 feet of runway. These upgrades are aimed at improving long-term operational safety and ensuring continued compliance with federal aviation standards.
The funding is partially provided through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which supports projects that enhance airport safety, efficiency, and infrastructure. Additional support for these Long Island upgrades comes from state and other federal infrastructure sources, bringing the total investment to $9.5 million. The AIP typically covers between 75 and 95 percent of eligible project costs, with local or state agencies contributing the remainder.
Both airports play important roles in Long Island’s transportation network. MacArthur serves approximately 1.3 million passengers annually and is poised for further expansion through a planned connection to the Long Island Rail Road’s Ronkonkoma branch. Republic Airport, operated by the New York State Department of Transportation, is a general aviation facility and serves as a hub for charter flights, pilot training, and corporate travel.
These investments come amid growing emphasis on modernizing regional airports nationwide. In recent years, New York airports have received tens of millions in federal grants for terminal renovations, runway extensions, and other critical upgrades. Local officials say the latest funding will strengthen aviation infrastructure on Long Island and improve safety for travelers and airport personnel alike.
Work on both airport projects is expected to begin later this year.
Q&A: Federal Funding for Long Island Airports
Q: Which Long Island airports received funding?
A: Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma and Republic Airport in East Farmingdale received a combined $9.5 million for safety and infrastructure upgrades.
Q: How much did each airport receive?
A: MacArthur Airport was awarded $3 million for perimeter security enhancements. Republic Airport received $6.5 million for runway rehabilitation and the reconstruction of an airfield gate.
Q: Where is the funding coming from?
A: The funding is a combination of federal and state sources. A portion is provided through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which supports airport infrastructure nationwide. The remaining funds are contributed through state allocations and other federal infrastructure programs.
Q: What exactly is being upgraded at MacArthur Airport?
A: MacArthur is installing an eight-foot perimeter fence topped with barbed wire and a modern surveillance system covering about seven miles of airport boundary.
Q: What will Republic Airport use its funding for?
A: Republic Airport plans to reconstruct an aging airfield gate and resurface more than 5,000 feet of runway to ensure operational safety and efficiency.
Q: Why are these projects important?
A: Both airports play critical roles in Long Island’s transportation system. These upgrades aim to modernize aging infrastructure, improve safety, and maintain compliance with federal aviation standards.
Q: Is this part of a larger statewide or national initiative?
A: Yes. The combined $9.5 million is part of a broader $21 million investment supporting upgrades at 16 airports across New York State, reflecting a national push to modernize regional and secondary airports.
Q: When will the construction begin?
A: Work on both projects is expected to begin later in 2025. At MacArthur, the perimeter work is scheduled to take about eight months and will not interfere with regular airport operations.
Q: Where can I find official confirmation of the funding?
A: While not all allocations appear on FAA public documents, multiple credible sources confirm the funding levels and scope. Congressman Andrew Garbarino and other officials such as Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also announced the awards in recent statements.
