ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A proposal to establish new regional airline service at Atlantic City International Airport, potentially connecting the resort with Boston and other underserved destinations, was a major topic of discussion during Monday's meeting of Mayor Marty Small, casino executives and developers.
Former state senator and longtime EHT mayor Sonny McCullough, who attended the Sept. 21 meeting, revealed details of the airline discussions Tuesday morning during an interview on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND.
McCullough said the gathering, which attracted approximately 40 to 50 participants, focused primarily on two potential transportation initiatives: a high-speed passenger ferry between Manhattan and Atlantic City and new commercial airline service using smaller aircraft.
"The major reason for the meeting to be held was to discuss a potential airline, small airline, operating out of Atlantic City and servicing municipalities and towns that currently did not get service, and also a high speed boat that would come out of Manhattan and come to Atlantic City," McCullough told Williams.
He said the meeting lasted nearly two hours and included representatives of every Atlantic City casino, along with major developers involved in the city's future.
According to McCullough, participants expressed considerable interest in both transportation proposals.
Smaller Aircraft Could Open New Markets
McCullough said the airline proposal involves the possibility of using smaller commercial aircraft to establish scheduled service between Atlantic City International Airport and destinations that currently lack direct flights from the airport.
Boston was among the potential destinations he mentioned.
"If we can get a airline, a small airline, maybe airplanes that fit maybe 40 people, and we can have a scheduled service, say, to Boston and some of the other municipalities and areas that are not represented now at Atlantic City Airport, I think it's very doable and very affordable," McCullough said.
The concept would involve aircraft substantially smaller than those typically used by major commercial airlines.
McCullough suggested that smaller aircraft could make it possible to serve destinations where passenger demand might not support larger planes.
However, he did not identify an airline operator involved in the proposal, and no specific routes, fares or launch dates were announced during the interview.
There has also been no public announcement of a formal agreement to establish the proposed service.
Atlantic City Airport Already Expanding Its Flight Options
The discussion comes during a period of significant changes at Atlantic City International Airport.
Breeze Airways began operating flights from the airport earlier this year, adding service to Charleston, South Carolina, in May, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, in June, and Orlando and Tampa, Florida, in July.
Allegiant Air also serves several destinations, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando/Sanford, Punta Gorda, St. Pete-Clearwater and Myrtle Beach.
American Airlines passengers can access the carrier's broader flight network through its Landline connection between Atlantic City International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport.
The South Jersey Transportation Authority, which operates the airport, highlighted the expanded service in an August announcement ahead of Labor Day weekend.
The potential regional airline discussed Monday would represent another opportunity to expand the airport's reach, particularly if it introduces nonstop service to destinations not currently available from Atlantic City.
The proposal discussed at Monday's meeting has not been identified as an expansion by Breeze, Allegiant or any other existing carrier.
McCullough Sees Opportunity for Smaller Airlines
McCullough, a former Egg Harbor Township mayor who also served in the New Jersey Senate, said Atlantic City International Airport faces geographic and economic challenges that distinguish it from larger airports.
He noted that the airport primarily serves leisure travelers rather than the substantial business-travel market that supports many commercial airline routes.
"The major income to an airline is business travel," McCullough said.
He suggested that smaller aircraft could offer a different approach to serving Atlantic City's passenger market.
"But if you can have an airline that only seats maybe 40 passengers, I think they can make it," he said.
McCullough's comments reflect his assessment of the potential business model. No airline has publicly committed to operating the smaller aircraft or establishing the routes discussed at Monday's meeting.
Ferry and Airline Proposals Dominate Meeting
The airline discussion took place alongside a proposal to establish high-speed passenger ferry service between Manhattan and Atlantic City.
As previously reported by South Jersey NewsBeat, the proposed ferry would be operated by Seastreak, carrying passengers to the Frank S. Farley State Marina at Golden Nugget.
The ferry proposal calls for a trip of approximately 2½ hours, with a potential launch around Memorial Day weekend 2027.
McCullough said the two transportation initiatives were the primary focus of Monday's gathering, rather than the proposed redevelopment of the former Bader Field airport property.
He said DEEM Enterprises partner Tommy Carr, who helped organize the meeting with Small, briefly discussed interest from homebuilders in participating in the residential portion of the Bader Field project.
However, McCullough emphasized that the airline and ferry proposals received most of the attention.
"That was the crux of the meeting," he told Williams.
McCullough, who acknowledged during the interview that he serves as a consultant to the Bader Field development team, said he was encouraged by the participation of casino executives and other business leaders.
What Happens Next?
While Monday's meeting brought together Atlantic City's casino industry, developers and city officials to discuss additional transportation options, the regional airline proposal remains in its preliminary stages.
No airline operator, aircraft provider, route agreement, financing arrangement or proposed start date has been publicly identified.
The discussion nevertheless introduces another potential transportation initiative for Atlantic City at a time when the resort is seeking to expand its visitor market and improve connections to other cities.
For Atlantic City International Airport, the next step would be determining whether a regional airline is prepared to establish scheduled service and which destinations could support the proposed smaller aircraft.
For now, Boston remains a potential destination discussed by McCullough, rather than an announced new route.
Former state Sen. Sonny McCullough discussed Monday's meeting during an interview on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The Don Williams Show airs Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m.
About the Author
Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
