By Aidan Mastandrea
News Editor
With a rumored $300 million expansion on the horizon, the Trenton-Mercer Airport currently holds the title as the airport with the shortest walk from the entrance to the gate in the United States, based on a study done by Kuru Footwear.
Kuru’s findings show that the Trenton-Mercer Airport's walking distance from its entrance to the gate was only .003 miles. In comparison, the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, which was found to be the longest walk, had a distance of 1.50 miles from entrance to gate.
“We just put this out a couple of years ago and it has really resonated with people. Travel has had this huge bounce back since COVID,” said Kuru’s Media Relations Specialist Victoria Schmid.
The Trenton-Mercer Airport sits only 3.5 miles from the College’s campus, off of Sam Weinroth Road.
“The short distance is amazing,” said Kelly Connely, a University of Florida graduate and Ringoes resident. “You don’t have to go to the airport so early and when you’re in the line for security, you can see the gate.”
The airport may be small, but it handles approximately 85,000 take-offs and landings per year, according to the airport's website.
“Looking back on my time in that air travel hub, I think very fondly of my experience,” said Joseph Sei, a graduate of the College who used the airport a few times every year while in Ewing.
The airport will reportedly have a different look coming in 2026. According to the Bucks County Herald, the renovations will include a new terminal and air traffic control tower, among other amenities.
Upon hearing of the renovations, Sei hopes they will “increase the amount of terminals so they can fly more flights out of it,” while “also adding more options for food and drink.”
The Federal Aviation Administration approved the renovation plans back in 2022, and according to phillyburbs.com, the airport's current terminal is 25,000 square feet and was built in the 1970s.
There has been backlash from local residents regarding the expansion regarding noise and other
complaints, according to the Bucks County Herald, but the renovation plans will continue.
“Every time I’m flying, I look at TTN flights first because of the convenience of it,” said Connely.
