Trenton-Mercer Airport

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Trenton-Mercer Airport
IATA: TTN – ICAO: KTTN – FAA LID: TTN
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner County of Mercer
Operator Mercer County Dept. of Transportation and Infrastructure
Serves Trenton, New Jersey
Location Ewing Township, New Jersey
Focus city for Frontier Airlines[1]
Elevation AMSL 212 ft / 65 m
Coordinates 40°16′36″N 074°48′48″W / 40.27667°N 74.81333°W / 40.27667; -74.81333Coordinates: 40°16′36″N 074°48′48″W / 40.27667°N 74.81333°W / 40.27667; -74.81333
Website nj.gov/counties/mercer/...
Maps
FAA airport diagram
TTN
Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
6/24 6,006 1,831 Asphalt
16/34 4,800 1,463 Asphalt
Helipads
Number Length Surface
ft m
H1 64 20 Asphalt
H2 64 20 Asphalt
H3 64 20 Asphalt
Statistics (2010)
Aircraft operations 84,614
Based aircraft 154
Source: Federal Aviation Administration[2]

Trenton-Mercer Airport (IATA: TTN[3], ICAO: KTTN, FAA LID: TTN) is a county-owned, public airport four miles northwest of Trenton, in Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey.[2] Formerly known as Mercer County Airport, the airport has one scheduled airline plus general and corporate aviation.

Trenton-Mercer is the sixth busiest airport in New Jersey (after Newark, Essex County, Teterboro, Morristown, and Atlantic City).[citation needed]

Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 24,634 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2007, 974 enplanements in 2008,[4] 561 in 2009, 853 in 2010, 3,414 in 2011, and 6,459 in 2012.[5] It is in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which called it a general aviation facility.[6]

History

The first airplane landed at what is now Trenton-Mercer Airport in 1907, in what was then Alfred Reeder's farm field, just off of Bear Tavern Road in Ewing. Twenty-two years later in 1929 Skillman Airport opened to the public.

During World War II the nearby General Motors plant ceased producing civilian vehicles and began making TBF Avenger bombers for the United States Navy. Skillman Airport expanded to accommodate test-flights of this aircraft, and after the airport returned to county control following the end of the war it was renamed Mercer County Airport.

Airport Air Traffic Control operations based in the control tower were 6 AM to Midnight during the 1980s and early 1990s. Since January 1994, tower operations have been shortened to 6 AM to 10 PM.

In 1995 the airport's name was changed to Trenton-Mercer Airport in an effort to identify it with the city of Trenton (the capital of New Jersey and county seat of Mercer County).

On March 11, 1998 an NWS/FAA Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) became operational at the airport, replacing the human weather observers which had previously reported weather conditions.

For many years the county has planned to expand the airport and attract more commercial airlines. The plans have been opposed by residents of suburban housing tracts in Ewing, Lawrence, Hopewell, Lower Makefield, Pennington and Yardley (some of which are in Pennsylvania, across the Delaware River). Most of these developments were built after the airport.

In 1994 as a cost-cutting measure, the Mercer County Airport Police and Fire Department was disbanded and replaced by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office (police) and ProTec Fire Services (Aircraft Fire Rescue). The fire department was initially led by Chief James Lonergan, who was previously was the director of aircraft rescue at Philadelphia International and Boston Logan Airport.

He was replaced, in 1997, by Mike Schwartz, who currently serves as an elected Ward Councilman in Delran Township. Chief Schwartz was also assigned as the Director of Fire Rescue at Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey. Following his retirement, he was replaced by Jim West at Trenton (who previously worked with the Space Shuttle program), and Morristown Municipal contracted with Rural-Metro Fire Service.

In March 2013 the FAA announced it will close the airport's control tower due to the 2013 Federal Sequester and resultant budget cuts.[7] On May 10, 2013, the FAA announced it would delay the closing of the airport's control tower through at least September 30, 2013.[8]

Ground transportation

Trenton-Mercer Airport has rental cars available in the terminal with no shuttle needed. Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental are available 7 days a week from 6am to 11pm (Formerly Avis/Budget)

Enterprise Rent-a-Car Rental Counter at TTN

Mercer County maintains a list of taxi companies serving the airport with a link to a fare estimator. The City of Trenton has a variety of taxi cab companies which operate from the Trenton Transit Center which services the Northeast Corridor via Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and SEPTA railroads.[9] Travel times between Trenton and 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and Penn Station in New York were 28 minutes and 48 minutes, respectively, in Amtrak's January, 2013 timetable.[10]

Public transportation

No public transportation options actually pick up or drop off passengers in front of the terminal, but nearby bus and train routes exist. It should be noted however, that there are no sidewalks, nor shoulders, along the roads that lead to the passenger terminal.

The Trenton-Mercer Airport is within walking distance (1.5 miles) of the West Trenton SEPTA Train Station. This train station serves Philadelphia and points west. It does not offer service to New York or points east.

On weekdays, NJ Transit's 607 bus stops just outside the airport grounds, at Bear Tavern Rd and Cardinal Dr. The 607 does not connect with any train stations but it does stop about a half mile from Trenton Transit Center. Passengers can always transfer between buses to connect to the train station.

Another option is the 608 bus which stops at the Hamilton NJT Train Station and Trenton Transit Center. This bus goes as far as the intersection of Grand Ave and Upper Ferry Rd (weekdays only), which is less than a mile from the airport terminal.

Public transportation to/from the airport on weekends and holidays is less accessible, since the 607 and 608 routes are shortened on these days. One option is to take the 609 bus to/from the NJ Department of Transportation offices, about a 2.5 mile walk from the airport. The airport is located in the township of Ewing, a very upscale section of New Jersey, so walking around the vicinity poses little in the way of safety concerns.

The fare on these buses is $1.50 (plus 60 cents if a transfer is needed). The cost of a cab between Trenton-Mercer Airport and Trenton Transit Center can vary from $30 to $50 depending on the cab company (there are no metered cabs in Trenton).[11]

Facilities and aircraft

Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN) - SkyLounge Bar at Ewing
Frontier Airlines Airbus A319 boarding at Trenton Mercer Airport
Frontier Airlines Check-in Counter at Trenton Mercer Airport
Gate 1 at Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN)
Gate 1 Podium at Trenton Mercer Airport
The all new Sky Lounge Bar next to Gate 1 at TTN

Trenton Mercer Airport covers 1,345 acres (544 ha) at an elevation of 212 feet (65 m) above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: 6/24 is 6,006 by 150 feet (1,831 x 46 m) and 16/34 is 4,800 by 150 feet (1,463 x 46 m). The airport has three helipads, H1, H2, and H3, each 64 by 64 feet (20 x 20 m).[2] To meet FAA requirements that certain runways be equipped with an EMAS bed before the end of 2013, the airport installed EMAS beds at both ends of runway 16/34 in 2012; officials announced plans in early 2013 to close runway 6/24 for two months that fall to install an EMAS bed at both ends.[12]

In 2010 the airport had 84,614 aircraft operations, an average of 231 per day: 95% general aviation, 3% air taxi, and 2% military. 154 aircraft were then based at this airport: 48% single-engine, 10% multi-engine, 10% jet, 21% helicopter, and 10.4% military.[2]

Pilot training

Trenton-Mercer Airport is home to multiple flight schools. Both Mercer County Community College's flight department and ATP Flight School are based on the field.[13][14]

The airport also is home to Royal Karina Air Service, which provides both flight training and aircraft rental.[15]

Civil Air Patrol

Trenton-Mercer Airport is also home to the Twin Pine Composite Squadron (NER-NJ-092) of the Civil Air Patrol.[16]

Terminal and Future Developments

Trenton-Mercer Airport has one terminal with two gates. Trenton-Mercer is served by Enterprise and National on the main floor. On the upper level of the terminal (pre-security) is an observation lounge as well as a restaurant, Sky Lounge at Ewing, serving pub food. Sky Lounge has another location post security near Gate 1 that serves drinks and pre-packaged sandwiches and wraps. Parking is $2 per hour and $8 per day. On November 8, 2013, Mercer County opened a renovated terminal, including a new modular baggage claim outside the terminal, restrooms in the gate area (there were previously no restrooms past security), and using the space where the baggage claim was to add more passenger seating and an additional gate.[17]

In a study commissioned by the county released in 2013, a new passenger terminal, a corporate office park, medical offices and laboratories, and commercial space would be part of a plan to develop available land at the airport.[18]

Airline and destinations

Frontier Airlines, which markets the airport as "Trenton/Princeton (NJ)", began flights to Orlando on November 16, 2012 and expanded service to nine other destinations in the USA between January and April 2013, with two airplanes now based at the airport.[19][20] The airline has entered into a lease committing it to stay at the airport until 2018.[21]

Airlines Destinations
Frontier Airlines Atlanta, Charlotte (begins February 12, 2014),[22] Chicago-Midway, Cincinnati (begins February 12, 2014),[22] Cleveland (begins February 13, 2014),[23] Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Indianapolis (begins April 29, 2014),[23] Nashville (begins April 30, 2014),[23] Orlando, Raleigh/Durham, St. Augustine (FL) (begins May 2, 2014),[24] Tampa

Statistics

Top Ten Busiest Domestic Routes Out of Trenton Mercer Airport
(Nov 2012-Oct 2013)[25]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Orlando, FL: MCO 18,960 Frontier
2 Chicago, IL: MDW 15,690 Frontier
3 Raleigh/Durham, NC: RDU 13,880 Frontier
4 Tampa, FL: TPA 12,110 Frontier
5 Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, FL: FLL 11,480 Frontier
6 Atlanta, GA: ATL 11,320 Frontier
7 Detroit, MI: DTW 11,180 Frontier
8 Fort Myers, FL: RSW 7,680 Frontier
9 Columbus, OH: CMH 7,560 Frontier
10 New Orleans, LA: MSY 6,870 Frontier

Former commercial service

  • Allegheny Douglas DC-9s nonstop to Chicago in 1977-78 were probably Trenton's first jet flights.
  • United flew Boeing 727-200s and Boeing 737s to Trenton in 1984-85.
  • In the mid to late 1990s Eastwind Airlines operated a hub out of Trenton to Florida and Virginia as well as airports in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. The airline flew from Philadelphia for a short time too. This was one of the only times Trenton-Mercer saw scheduled jet service from its short runways with 737-200 and 737-700 aircraft.[26]
  • From 1998 until 2003 Shuttle America operated a scheduled business commuter service to airports in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina. The airline flew 50 seat De Havilland Dash 8-311 turboprops and had all its aircraft stocked with in-flight service items when stopping in Trenton. The airline ceased operations at TTN after a codeshare service with US Airways drew customers to nearby Philadelphia from Trenton.
  • On April 4, 2011, Streamline Airlines re-commenced the former Pan-Am Clipper Connection route between Bedford-Hanscom and Trenton using an EMB-120 Brasilia turboprop.[27] The carrier was consistently losing money and shut down on September 14, 2012, citing a poor economic climate and unprofitable operations.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Frontier Airlines' shifting market strategy avoids competition". Denver Post. January 30, 2013. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 FAA Airport Master Record for TTN (Form 5010 PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 5, 2012.
  3. ↑ "IATA Airport Code Search (TTN: Trenton-Mercer)". International Air Transport Association. Retrieved October 25, 2013. 
  4. ↑ "Enplanements for CY 2008" (PDF, 1.0 MB). CY 2008 Passenger Boarding and All-Cargo Data. Federal Aviation Administration. December 18, 2009. 
  5. ↑ "CY 2012 Enplanements at All U.S. Airports, by State". Federal Aviation Administration. October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2013. 
  6. ↑ "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF, 2.03 MB). National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010. 
  7. ↑ Pizzi, Jenna (March 22, 2013). "FAA says Trenton-Mercer Airport control tower will close due to federal sequester". The Times of Trenton. Retrieved 2013-02-22. 
  8. ↑ Izzo, Christina (May 11, 2013). "Control tower at Trenton-Mercer Airport spared from June closure". The Times of Trenton. Retrieved 2013-05-20. 
  9. ↑ "Trenton/Mercer Airport, Transportation". Retrieved January 14, 2013. 
  10. ↑ "Amtrak timetable". January 2013. 
  11. ↑ "Bus schedule". NJ Transit. Retrieved May 27, 2013. 
  12. ↑ Pizzi, Jenna (March 30, 2013). "Frontier Airlines will suspend flights at Trenton-Mercer Airport this fall for runway work". The Times of Trenton (Trenton, NJ). 
  13. ↑ http://www.mccc.edu/aviation
  14. ↑ http://www.atpflightschool.com
  15. ↑ http://www.IReallyWantToFly.com
  16. ↑ http://twinpine.njwg.cap.gov
  17. ↑ "Trenton-Mercer Airport celebrates opening of renovated terminal". Retrieved November 8, 2013. 
  18. ↑ Pizzi, Jenna (January 25, 2013). "Mercer freeholders review plan to develop area surrounding Trenton-Mercer Airport". The Times of Trenton. Retrieved 2013-01-25. 
  19. ↑ Davis, Mike (November 15, 2012). "Frontier Airlines adds Trenton-Mercer Airport flights to include 3 more Florida cities, New Orleans". The Times of Trenton. Retrieved June 22, 2013. 
  20. ↑ "Frontier Airlines continues rapid expansion at Trenton-Mercer Airport with flights to 5 new cities". Times of Trenton. January 7, 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-07. 
  21. ↑ Davis, Mike (May 19, 2013). "Frontier Airlines extends Trenton-Mercer Airport lease to 2018 with expansion plans for terminal, baggage facilities". Times of Trenton. Retrieved 2103-12-31. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 http://finance.yahoo.com/news/frontier-airlines-adds-trenton-mercer-160000681.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CX4rVVS2AQA_HXQtDMD
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 http://finance.yahoo.com/news/frontier-airlines-adds-trenton-mercer-160000264.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CT97XtSA1oAhQbQtDMD
  24. ↑ http://www.heraldonline.com/2014/01/29/5625245/frontier-airlines-adds-service.html
  25. ↑ http://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?pn=1&Airport=TTN&Airport_Name=Trenton,%20NJ:%20Trenton%20Mercer&carrier=FACTS Trenton-Mercer Airport&carrier=FACTS
  26. ↑ Goodnough, Abby (8 October 1995). "IN BRIEF; Trenton-Based Airline To Add Florida Flights". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 November 2013. 
  27. ↑ http://www.state.nj.us/counties/mercer/departments/airport/airlines.html
  28. ↑ http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/09/trenton-mercer_airport_ends_co.html

External links


Major commercial airports
Secondary commercial airports
General aviation airports
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