Trenton–Mercer Airport

Trenton–Mercer Airport (IATA: TTN[4], ICAO: KTTN, FAA LID: TTN) is a county-owned, joint civil–military, public airport located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, United States.[2] Formerly known as Mercer County Airport, the airport serves one scheduled airline plus general and corporate aviation. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that approximately 473,000 passengers departed and 469,000 arrived at the airport in the 12 months ending February 2020, for a total of 942,000 passengers.[3]

For other Mercer County airports, see Mercer County Airport (disambiguation).

Trenton–Mercer Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCounty of Mercer
OperatorMercer County Dept. of Transportation and Infrastructure
ServesTrenton
LocationEwing Township, New Jersey
Focus city forFrontier Airlines[1]
Elevation AMSL212 ft / 65 m
Coordinates40°16′36″N 074°48′48″W
WebsiteOfficial website
Maps

FAA airport diagram
TTN
Location in Mercer County
TTN
TTN (New Jersey)
TTN
TTN (the United States)
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
Aircraft operations (2019)112,513
Based aircraft (2020)153
Total passengers served (12 months ending March 2020)917,000
Scheduled flights5,880

Trenton–Mercer is the third busiest airport in New Jersey with an average of 308 aircraft operations per day (after Newark's 1228 per day, Teterboro's 477 per day and over fourth place's Atlantic City's 152 per day).[5][6][7][8] As of May 2018, Trenton was the 5th fastest growing airport in the US.[9]

Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 24,634 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2007, 974 enplanements in 2008,[10] 561 in 2009, 853 in 2010, 3,414 in 2011, 6,459 in 2012, 148,256 in 2013, and 377,961 in 2014.[11] It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023, in which it is categorized as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.[12]

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 Inland Fisher Guide Plant ceased producing civilian vehicles and began making Grumman TBF Avenger carrier-based torpedo 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.[note 1] After the war, the navy reestablished a presence with the construction of Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton adjacent to the airport, which remained open until 1997.[note 2]

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 that had previously reported weather conditions.

For many years the county has planned to expand the airport and attract more commercial airlines. These plans have been opposed by residents along the flight path living in Ewing, Lawrence, Hopewell, and Pennington. Opposition has also been expressed in Pennsylvania among residents living along the flight path in Yardley and Lower Makefield.

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).

Aerial view of the airport from the west
Sign at the main airport entrance

Ground transportation
Enterprise Rent-A-Car counter

Mercer County has a variety of taxi cab companies that operate from the Trenton Transit Center, which services the Northeast Corridor via Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and SEPTA railroads.[13]

No public transportation options pick up or drop off passengers in front of the terminal, but nearby bus and train routes exist. 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 train station. This train station serves Philadelphia and points south, but not New York or points north.

On weekdays, NJ Transit's 607 bus stops just outside the airport grounds, at Bear Tavern Rd and Cardinal Dr. The 608 bus, which connects to the Hamilton NJT Train Station and Trenton Transit Center, stops less than a mile from the airport terminal at the intersection of Grand Ave and Upper Ferry Rd.[14]

Facilities and aircraft
SkyLounge bar
Frontier Airlines Airbus A319 boarding at the airport
Check-in counter
Gate 1
Baggage claim

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.[15]

For the 12-month period ending April 2, 2019 the airport had 112,513 aircraft operations, an average of 308 per day: 92% general aviation, 4% commercial, 4% air taxi, and <1% military. In May 2020, there were 153 aircraft based at this airport: 86 single-engine, 21 multi-engine, 29 jet, and 17 helicopter.[2]

Trenton–Mercer Airport is home to multiple flight schools including Infinity Flight Group,[16] Mercer County Community College, and an ATP Flight School location.[17]

Military facilities and aircraft

The airport is home to Army Aviation Support Facility #2 and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment, otherwise known as the 1-150th General Support Aviation Battalion of the New Jersey Army National Guard. Equipped with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, the battalion provides ground force commanders of the 42nd Infantry Division (Mechanized) with additional air assault, transportation, re-supply, and command and control assets. In its state role under Title 32 United States Code, the unit also provides emergency logistical support in response to disasters or any other emergency support as may be directed by the Governor of New Jersey.[18]

The airport is also home to the Twin Pine Composite Squadron (NER-NJ-092) of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.[19]

Terminal and future developments

Trenton–Mercer Airport has one terminal with two gates. Gate 2 is divided into 3 sub gates labeled Gates 2–4. On the upper level of the terminal (before security) is an observation lounge as well as a restaurant, Sky Lounge at Ewing, serving pub food. Sky Lounge has another location past 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 trailer baggage claim outside the terminal, restrooms in the gate area (there were previously no restrooms past security), and—in the area originally occupied by the baggage claim—additional passenger seating and a new gate.[20]

In August 2014, the Airport was awarded $2.2 million to rehabilitate 3 taxiways. A spokesperson for the county said that this was the first phase of a three-year plan to make further improvements.[21]

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.[22] On September 29, 2016, Mercer County in conjunction with firms Urban Engineers and McFarland Johnson held a public meeting at the nearby West Trenton Ballroom meeting hall. Several aspects of the proposed master plan for the airport were revealed. Plans call for a new terminal sized at 115,000–125,000 square feet. The current terminal is 24,780 square feet. The rental car area will house up to five rental car agencies and with concession, restrooms and gate area expanding to four times the current area.[23]

Airlines and destinations
AirlinesDestinations
Frontier Airlines Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami,[24] Orlando, Raleigh/Durham, Tampa, West Palm Beach
Seasonal: Charleston (SC), Chicago–O'Hare, Detroit, Jacksonville (FL), Minneapolis/St. Paul, Myrtle Beach, Sarasota[25]

Statistics

Top destinations
Busiest domestic routes from TTN
(April 2019 – March 2020)[3]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Orlando, Florida 74,890 Frontier
2 Atlanta, Georgia 52,060 Frontier
3 West Palm Beach, Florida 42,850 Frontier
4 Tampa, Florida 40,140 Frontier
5 Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Florida 38,490 Frontier
6 Fort Myers, Florida 34,080 Frontier
7 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 32,390 Frontier
8 Charlotte, North Carolina 28,320 Frontier
9 Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina 27,960 Frontier
10 Jacksonville, Florida 14,380 Frontier

Carrier shares
Carrier shares (September 2019 – August 2020)[3]
Rank Carrier Passengers % of market
1 Frontier 531,000 100.00%

Former commercial service
  • Allegheny McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30s nonstop to Chicago O'Hare Airport in 1977 were probably Trenton's first jet flights.[26] According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG), the only airline serving Trenton in 1976 was Allegheny Commuter operating small Nord 262 commuter turboprops with nonstops from Newark Airport and Philadelphia as well as direct one stop flights from Washington National Airport with all service operated on behalf of Allegheny on a code sharing basis.[27]
  • United flew mainline jet service with Boeing 727-200s and Boeing 737-200s to Trenton direct from Chicago O'Hare Airport in 1984–86.[28][29]
  • In the mid to late 1990s Eastwind Airlines operated a hub out of Trenton to Florida and North Carolina as well as airports in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. The airline also flew from Philadelphia for a short time. This was one of the few instances where Trenton–Mercer saw scheduled jet service from its short runways with Boeing 737-200 and 737-700 aircraft although other airlines operated jet service as well.[30]
  • From 1998 until 2003 Shuttle America operated a scheduled business commuter service to airports in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, and North Carolina. The airline flew 50 seat de Havilland Canada 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.
  • In 2006 and 2007 Comair flew to Atlanta and Boston from Trenton as Delta Connection using Canadair CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft. After a few months Big Sky Airlines took over the Boston service with Beechcraft 1900 commuter propjets. The service ended in early January 2008.
  • From May 2000 until February 2008 Boston-Maine Airways operated the Pan Am Clipper Connection between Trenton–Mercer Airport and Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts. The flight was terminated when Boston-Maine Airways ceased operating on February 28, 2008.
  • On April 4, 2011, Streamline Airlines re-commenced the former Pan-Am Clipper Connection route between Bedford–Hanscom and Trenton using an Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprop.[31] The carrier was consistently losing money and shut down on September 14, 2012, citing a poor economic climate and unprofitable operations.[32]
  • On April 29, 2018, Allegiant Air ended all-jet service from and to Trenton–Mercer Airport, leaving Frontier as the only commercial tenant.

Footnotes
  1. "History of Ewing". Township of Ewing. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015. World War II During World War II, factories in the area devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the war effort. General Motors became Eastern Aircraft, and made a critical contribution to the war effort through the production of the Navy Avenger Torpedo Bomber. Assemblies from other plants on the East Coast were transported via the Reading Railroad to the Ewing plant, where they joined Ewing-fabricated sections in final assembly. Bombers off the line were sent to the Skillman (now Trenton–Mercer) airport, where they were tested before delivery to the Navy.
  2. Former Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton, United States Navy. Accessed October 28, 2014. "The former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Trenton is located in Ewing Township, New Jersey. The property is bordered to the north and west by Mercer County Airport, to the sorth by Parkway Avenue, and to the east by a railroad line. The property consists of approximately 528 acres of improved and unimproved land. The NAWC was operated by the U.S. Navy from 1951 until 1997 as a jet engine test facility."

References
  1. "Frontier Airlines' shifting market strategy avoids competition". Denver Post. January 30, 2013.
  2. FAA Airport Form 5010 for TTN PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective May 21, 2020.
  3. "RITA BTS Transtats – TTN". www.transtats.bts.gov. March 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  4. "IATA Airport Code Search (TTN: Trenton–Mercer)". International Air Transport Association. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  5. "AirNav: KTTN – Trenton Mercer Airport". Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  6. "AirNav: KEWR – Newark Liberty International Airport". Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  7. "AirNav: KTEB – Teterboro Airport". Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  8. "AirNav: KACY – Atlantic City International Airport". Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  9. "These Are America's Fastest-Growing Airports". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  10. "Enplanements for CY 2008" (PDF, 1.0 MB). Federal Aviation Administration. December 18, 2009.
  11. "CY 2012 Enplanements at All U.S. Airports, by State" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  12. "NPIAS Report 2019-2023 Appendix A" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. October 3, 2018. p. 69. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  13. "Trenton–Mercer Airport, Transportation". Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  14. "Bus schedule" (PDF). NJ Transit. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  15. 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.
  16. "Infinity Flight Group: Trenton, NJ: Aviation School, Flight Training & Lessons Pennsylvania & New Jersey". Trenton, NJ: Infinity Flight Group. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  17. ATP Flight School. "ATP Flight School: Airline Pilot Training & Pilot Career Development". Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  18. "New Jersey Army National Guard". Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  19. Civil Air Patrol (June 3, 2015). "ABOUT TWIN PINE". TWIN PINE COMPOSITE SQUADRON. Civil Air Patrol. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  20. "Trenton–Mercer Airport celebrates opening of renovated terminal". Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  21. "Taxiway improvements on way for Trenton–Mercer Airport". NJ.com. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  22. Pizzi, Jenna (January 25, 2013). "Mercer freeholders review plan to develop area surrounding Trenton–Mercer Airport". The Times of Trenton. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  23. "Airport Master Plan Public Meeting #1" (PDF). Mercer County. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  24. "Frontier Airlines Announces 25 New Routes, Including Service to Central America". News.flyfrontier.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  25. "Frontier Airlines Announces New, Non-Stop Service from Trenton to Sarasota". News.flyfrontier.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  26. "Allegheny AIrlines April 24, 1977 Route Map". Departedflights.com. April 24, 1977. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  27. February 1, 1976 Official Airline Guide, North American edition, Trenton flight schedules
  28. "United Airlines March 2, 1983 Route Map". Departedflights.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  29. "United Airlines January 6, 1986 Route Map". Departedflights.com. January 6, 1986. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  30. Goodnough, Abby (October 8, 1995). "Trenton-based Airline to Add Florida Flights". The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  31. "Mercer County, NJ – Airlines". Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  32. "Streamline Air ends commuter flights from Trenton–Mercer Airport to Boston area". NJ.com. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
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