WESTHAMPTON, NY — A new day dawned this week in Westhampton as a $20 million air traffic control tower project at Francis S. Gabreski Airport was unveiled.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Rep. Nick LaLota announced the project during a press event as part of a series of improvements to enhance safety and meet the demand for increased flights and services at the airport.
"This tower will replace the aging tower built in 1943 when this was solely a military installation," said Romaine. "Our new tower will meet the updated FAA guidelines and the changing needs of our customers, ensuring a safe experience for everyone flying in and out of Gabreski Airport."
"This $20 million investment in a new air traffic control tower at Gabreski Airport, including $11.3 million in federal funding, shows what we can deliver when every level of government works together. Suffolk County deserves modern, reliable infrastructure that keeps our communities safe and our economy moving, and I'll continue fighting to bring federal dollars home for critical projects like this," LaLota said.
Gabreski Airport, both agreed, is an "essential economic hub" on the East End, supporting high paying jobs, business interests and connectivity to the rest of the country.
According to statistics unveiled by the lawmakers, during the 2026 U.S. Open, Gabreski saw a 91 percent increase in flights (1,983) compared to the 2018 U.S. Open. T
The new tower will better support times of increased traffic, both said.
This phase of construction was made possible in large part to the $11 million in federal funds secured by LaLota, Romaine said.
The new tower stands adjacent to the old tower and will be about twice as tall, at 146 feet. Additionally, the new tower will significantly improve air traffic control visibility, incorporate latest technology and include a full-building backup generator, both LaLota and Romaine said.
According to Romaine and LaLota, Gabreski Airport's regional economic impact includes 44,000-60,000 aircraft operations annually; $116.1 million in economic impact; support for 1,085 jobs; and contributions of $3.3 million in local tax revenue.
In addition, they said, Gabreski attracts tens of millions of dollars in private sector development.
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