ACY to receive $5 million to expand apron

September 5, 2007

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced Wednesday, Aug. 29 that Atlantic City International Airport will receive $5 million in federal funds to expand the airport apron – a move that is expected to improve the flow and safety of taxiing aircraft and pave the way for doubling gate capacity.
“I commend our federal legislators for their tenacity in pursuing federal funds for this worthwhile project,” said Gov. Jon. S. Corzine, who has strongly endorsed the apron expansion. “This past July, the Atlantic City International Airport tallied its highest passenger count ever. Clearly, these types of infrastructure improvements are needed for the airport to keep pace with the growth it is already experiencing.”
Due to the efforts of U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez and Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo, the Federal Aviation Administration has committed to provide the funds that will ultimately double the size of the apron.
“This funding is vital because ACY is adding new destinations every year and serving more passengers than ever before,” said NJDOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri, who is also chairman of the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which owns and operates the airport.
Passenger traffic at ACY is expected to reach a record 1.2 million in 2007. ACY accommodated 110,000 passengers in July, the busiest month on record for the airport. During the first six months of 2007, overall traffic at the airport increased 27 percent, from 554,092 passengers through the end of July 2006 compared to 705,537 passengers through the end of July this year.
"More and more people are flying to our state for business and for pleasure. Our airports need to be ready to accommodate that increase in travel," said Lautenberg, a member of Senate Commerce Committee and the aviation subcommittee that oversees funding for airports. "These funds will improve capacity at Atlantic City Airport.”
“The expansion of the Atlantic City International Airport opens wider another gateway to all our great state has to offer,” Menendez said. “I firmly believe that improving transportation infrastructure is not just about moving goods and people more effectively; it is about improving quality of life and protecting our environment.”
The increase in commercial service is due to an expansion of destinations available through ACY, including Delta Airlines nonstop daily service to Atlanta, launched in mid-June 2006, and Spirit Airlines daily nonstop service to Las Vegas, launched in May 2007.
The apron expansion is part of a long-term airport improvement program that includes an expansion of gate capacity from seven to 14 and the installation of “common use technology” that expands counter capacity by allowing airlines to use existing ACY networks and desk space as needed without the expense of establishing and maintaining their own on-site networks and work stations.
Current infrastructure improvements at the airport include the construction of a $24.5 million parking garage and cosmetic upgrades, including new flooring, signage and lighting in the terminal.