How Islip MacArthur Airport’s Historic Expansion Could Impact Your Home’s Electrical System
Long Island MacArthur Airport is experiencing unprecedented growth, and while this expansion brings exciting opportunities for the region, it also presents unique challenges for local residential electrical infrastructure that homeowners need to understand.
The Scale of MacArthur Airport’s Transformation
In February 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the Town of Islip’s plan to erect a new terminal on the north side of the airport, to be built as part of the Midway Crossing project. The $3.3 billion project will consist of a new terminal and parking facilities; the new terminal will be directly connected to the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station via a pedestrian walkway. In 2024, the airport served more than 1.36 million airline passengers. With JetBlue announcing service at MacArthur Airport in June 2024, and expanding its operations to add additional destinations in 2025, plus Avelo Airlines announcing service to MacArthur Airport in March 2025, the airport is poised for dramatic growth.
How Airport Expansion Affects Local Power Infrastructure
Airport expansions create significant electrical demands that ripple through local power grids. A recent Airport Cooperative Research Program study forecast the cumulative impact of electrification trends over the next 20 years. The conclusion found airport peak electrical loads could double. This dramatic increase in power consumption doesn’t just stay within airport boundaries—it affects the entire regional electrical grid.
Many airports are working to double their existing capacity to accommodate growing passenger numbers and increased flight operations. This expansion is not just about building more runways or terminals; it’s about integrating modern electrical infrastructure that can support a variety of electric vehicles and equipment.
Power Quality Issues That Could Affect Your Home
The increased electrical demand from airport expansion can create power quality issues that extend to residential areas. The presence of large nonlinear loads in airports, (e.g., 400 Hz ground power units, Air Handling Units, computational systems and servers, and the growing use of electric vehicle battery chargers) creates PQ issues. The PQ can further deteriorate power delivery and develop energy consumption concerns for electric power providers and airports.
Fluctuations in voltage can damage sensitive equipment such as air traffic control systems, security scanners and baggage handling mechanisms. Surge protection devices and stable backup power systems are frequently used to minimise these risks. However, these same voltage fluctuations can affect residential electrical systems, potentially damaging sensitive home electronics and appliances.
Warning Signs in Your Home’s Electrical System
Homeowners in the Islip area should watch for several warning signs that may indicate power quality issues related to increased regional electrical demand:
- Flickering or dimming lights, especially during peak usage hours
- Frequent tripping of circuit breakers
- Unusual sounds from electrical panels or outlets
- Electronics that malfunction or reset unexpectedly
- Higher than normal electricity bills without increased usage
Protecting Your Home’s Electrical Infrastructure
As the airport expansion continues, homeowners should consider proactive measures to protect their electrical systems. In the context of airport electrical resilience, resilience can include building redundant electrical infrastructure and maintaining backup power sources to allow for electrical service to be shifted to those sources when an outage occurs to help ensure continuous power. It may also include managing existing and future power system requirements to reduce demands on an electrical power source, such as by increasing energy efficiency. These same principles apply to residential properties.
Professional electrical assessments become increasingly important as regional power demands grow. Modern surge protection systems, updated electrical panels, and proper grounding can help safeguard your home against power quality issues. Additionally, considering backup power solutions like whole-house generators can provide peace of mind during potential outages.
The Importance of Professional Electrical Services
Given the complex electrical challenges that major infrastructure projects can create, working with experienced local electrical professionals is crucial. When you need reliable electrical services in the area, an experienced electrician islip can provide the expertise necessary to assess and upgrade your home’s electrical systems to handle changing power conditions.
Marra Electric is a prominent provider of electrical services in Suffolk County and has been serving Islip since 2004 with a strong reputation for doing great work and making sure clients are happy. The one thing homeowners really appreciate about this company is that they do not take any shortcuts. They do everything by the book and to code. The pride Danny has in his work and his attention to detail shows.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for Continued Growth
With Avelo Airlines’ recent announcement of new service to three destinations from ISP beginning in May 2025 making Avelo the fifth commercial carrier at MacArthur Airport and bringing to 18 the total non-stop destinations from ISP, compared to ten years ago when MacArthur Airport had only two airlines serving six destinations, the growth trajectory is clear. This continued expansion will likely place additional stress on regional electrical infrastructure.
Homeowners who take proactive steps now to assess and upgrade their electrical systems will be better positioned to handle any power quality issues that may arise from this historic airport expansion. Regular electrical maintenance, modern surge protection, and professional assessments can help ensure your home’s electrical system remains reliable and safe as the region continues to grow and develop around this major transportation hub.
The transformation of Long Island MacArthur Airport represents an exciting chapter for the region, but it also underscores the importance of maintaining robust residential electrical infrastructure to support this growth. By staying informed and working with qualified electrical professionals, homeowners can protect their investments and ensure their electrical systems are ready for the future.