Nantucket Memorial Airport

Nantucket Memorial Airport is a public airport located on the island of Nantucket, three miles south of the town center. Owned and operated by the Town of Nantucket, it serves as the primary aviation gateway to the island, handling a mix of scheduled commercial service, general aviation, and private charter flights. The airport is a critical transportation link for residents, seasonal visitors, and commerce, connecting the remote island to the New England mainland and beyond.

History

The airport's origins trace back to the late 1920s when the Town of Nantucket purchased land for a municipal airfield. Initial development was spurred by the growing interest in aviation and the island's relative isolation. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces took control of the facility, designating it as Nantucket Army Air Field and significantly expanding its runways and infrastructure for training and coastal patrol missions. Following the war, control reverted to the town, and it was renamed Nantucket Memorial Airport in 1947 to honor local servicemen who died in World War I and World War II. Major terminal expansions occurred in the 1970s and again in the 1990s to accommodate increasing passenger traffic driven by the island's popularity as a summer destination.

Facilities

The airport covers 1,100 acres at an elevation of 47 feet above mean sea level. It features two asphalt runways: Runway 6/24, the primary runway, measures 5,500 by 150 feet, and the crosswind Runway 15/33 measures 3,800 by 100 feet. The main passenger terminal, renovated in 2015, houses ticketing counters for major carriers, baggage claim, rental car facilities, and concessions. The airport also maintains a separate general aviation terminal, a Federal Aviation Administration control tower, and facilities for United States Coast Guard operations. A significant portion of the airport property is protected under a conservation restriction with the Nantucket Conservation Foundation.

Airlines and destinations

The airport is served by several regional and national carriers providing year-round and seasonal service to key hubs. Primary carriers include Cape Air, which offers extensive service to Boston and Martha's Vineyard, and JetBlue Airways, which operates seasonal flights to New York–JFK. American Airlines provides service to Charlotte and seasonally to Philadelphia, while Delta Air Lines offers seasonal flights to New York–LaGuardia. Other seasonal operators have included United Airlines and Tradewind Aviation, connecting the island to destinations like Washington–Dulles and White Plains, New York.

Accidents and incidents

The airport and surrounding waters have been the site of several notable aviation accidents. In 1960, a Northeast Airlines flight crashed on approach in poor weather, resulting in fatalities. A significant incident occurred in 1999 when a John F. Kennedy Jr.-piloted Piper Saratoga crashed into the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the airport, killing all on board, including his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and her sister Lauren Bessette. In 2011, a Cessna 402 operated by a local air taxi service experienced a landing gear failure, resulting in a runway excursion with minor injuries. These events have influenced discussions on instrument flight rules procedures and safety protocols for operations in the area's frequent fog.

Statistics

For the 12-month period ending in 2023, the airport had approximately 70,000 aircraft operations, averaging 191 per day, split between commercial air taxi, general aviation, and military. It served over 300,000 passengers annually in peak years pre-COVID-19 pandemic. The airport is the second-busiest in Massachusetts by total aircraft movements. The busiest commercial route is typically to Boston, operated by Cape Air. On average, over 20 aircraft are based at the airport, primarily single-engine and turboprop models used for local charter and flight training.

Ground transportation

Ground transportation options are centered on the terminal's front curb. Multiple rental car agencies, including Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, maintain facilities on-site. The Nantucket Regional Transit Authority operates public bus service, with the 'Wave' bus system providing connections to Siasconset, Madaket, and other island villages. Taxi and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are readily available. For private vehicles, short-term and long-term parking lots are located adjacent to the terminal, with shuttle service provided from the long-term lot. Ferry service to Hyannis is available via a short taxi or bus ride to Steamship Authority docks.