In the wake of what many have identified as a national air traffic control crisis, County Executive Dennis Levinson cites the valuable assets and resources available in Atlantic County to help address the problems that have plagued Newark Liberty International Airport as recently as yesterday.
“I strongly support expanding the use of Atlantic City International Airport to improve air traffic safety along the East Coast. There is a critical need at this point, and this is an option worthy of our collective consideration,” said Levinson.
There have been three disruptions within the last two weeks at Newark, one of the country’s busiest airports, resulting in hundreds of flight delays and cancellations. Travelers are frustrated and concerned. Staffing shortages, outdated technology and runway construction have been blamed with several members of Congress calling for federal investigations.
Levinson proudly points to the only officially designated aviation hub in New Jersey. Located in Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County, it is comprised of Atlantic City International Airport, the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace, and the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP), the aviation park that was established by the Levinson administration with the first building opened in 2019.
“Right here in our own backyard, we have an underutilized airport with a 10,000-ft. runway capable of handling the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger plane,” noted Levinson. “We’re ideally located in proximity to New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Greater use of Atlantic City International Airport could help alleviate congestion at these larger airports and reduce the impact of some of these significant failures.”
On April 28 air traffic controllers at Philadelphia TRACON Area C experienced a 30-90 second blackout that left them without the ability to communicate with planes or pilots at Newark Liberty. And in late January, a mid-air collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. resulted in 67 fatalities.
According to Levinson, work involved in the investigation of the D.C. crash is taking place at the FAA’s Hughes Technical Center, the nation’s premier aviation testing laboratory. And several of the country’s leading aviation industry organizations are involved in research and development activities at the aviation park. This combination of assets within a one-mile radius creates a unique environment with ample opportunities.
“Not only do we have an existing airport able to accommodate increased traffic and large aircraft, we’re also adding up to 3 million square feet of air cargo capacity, something that can further complement larger airports along the East Coast,” Levinson added.
In addition, the county executive noted plans for an aviation maintenance academy at the airport where the 177th Fighter Wing of the NJ Air National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard and federal air marshals all conduct operations.
Atlantic County is willing to provide financial assistance, if needed, for an airport expansion and is in a much better position than most to do so.
“Atlantic County maintains an extraordinarily low debt ratio well below the statutory debt limit with an extremely healthy funding capacity as confirmed by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors,” said Levinson. “My only requirement is that our taxpayers are always protected with a guaranteed return for our money.”
“We’re justifiably proud of our achievements. We believe we can be part of a solution to a very serious problem with greater use of the Atlantic City International Airport and the resources available in Atlantic County,” he concluded.
