Trenton–Mercer Airport | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||||||||||||
_aerial_view_2024.jpg) Trenton–Mercer Airport from the air in 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public / Military | ||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | County of Mercer | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | Mercer County Department of Transportation & Infrastructure | ||||||||||||||||||
| Serves | Delaware Valley andNew York metropolitan area Trenton | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Ewing Township,New Jersey | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating base for | Frontier Airlines[1] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Time zone | EST (UTC−05:00) | ||||||||||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC−04:00) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 212 ft / 65 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 40°16′36″N074°48′48″W / 40.27667°N 74.81333°W /40.27667; -74.81333 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Website | flytrentonmercer.com | ||||||||||||||||||
| Maps | |||||||||||||||||||
 FAA airport diagram | |||||||||||||||||||
 Interactive map of Trenton–Mercer Airport | |||||||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Helipads | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Statistics | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Source:Federal Aviation Administration,[2]BTS[3] | |||||||||||||||||||
Trenton–Mercer Airport (IATA:TTN[4],ICAO:KTTN,FAALID:TTN) is a county-owned, joint civil–military, public airport located four miles (6.4 km) northwest ofTrenton in theWest Trenton section ofEwing Township,Mercer County,New Jersey,United States.[2]
Formerly known asMercer County Airport, the airport serves one scheduled airline plusgeneral and corporateaviation. TheU.S. Department of Transportation reports that approximately 301,000 passengers arrived and 300,000 departed at the airport in the 12 months ending July 2023, for a total of 601,000 passengers.[3]
With an average of 308 aircraft operations per day,Trenton–Mercer is the third-busiest airport in New Jersey afterNewark Liberty International Airport's 1,228 per day andTeterboro Airport's 477 per day.[5][6][7][8] As of May 2018, Trenton was the fifth fastest growing airport in the United States.[9]
TheFederal Aviation Administration (FAA)National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.[10]
The firstairplane to land at what is now Trenton–Mercer Airport touched down in 1907, in what was then Alfred Reeder's farm field, just off of Bear Tavern Road in Ewing. Twenty-two years later, in 1929,Skillman Airport opened to the public.[11]
DuringWorld War II, the nearbyGeneral Motors Inland Fisher Guide Plant ceased producing civilian vehicles and began makingGrumman TBF Avenger carrier-basedtorpedo bombers for theUnited States Navy. Skillman Airport expanded at this time to accommodate test flights of this aircraft, and after the airport returned to county control following the end of the war, it was renamedMercer County Airport.[note 1] After the war, the navy reestablished a presence with the construction ofNaval Air Warfare Center Trenton adjacent to the airport, which remained open until 1997.[note 2]
AlleghenyMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-30s nonstop toChicago O'Hare Airport in 1977 were probably Trenton's first jet flights.[12] According to theOfficial Airline Guide (OAG), the only airline serving Trenton in 1976 wasAllegheny Commuter operating smallNord 262 commuter turboprops with nonstops fromNewark andPhiladelphia as well as direct one stop flights fromWashington National Airport with all service operated on behalf of Allegheny on acode sharing basis.[13]
The airport'sair traffic control operations, based in thecontrol tower, operated between 6AM and midnight during the 1980s and early 1990s. Since January 1994, tower operations have been shortened to 6AM and 10PM.[11]
United flew mainline jet service withBoeing 727-200s andBoeing 737-200s to Trenton direct fromChicago O'Hare Airport in 1984–86.[14][15] According to theOfficial Airline Guide (OAG), by late 1989USAir Express was the only airline serving Trenton with flights operated with smallBritish AerospaceBAe Jetstream 31 commuter turboprop airliners nonstop from bothBaltimore andWashington National Airport, flown via acode sharing agreement withUSAir.[16]
In 1994, as a cost-cutting measure, the Mercer County Airport Police and Fire Department was disbanded and replaced by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office (police) and ProTec Fire Services (Aircraft Fire Rescue). The following year, in 1995, the airport's name was changed toTrenton–Mercer Airport in an effort to identify it with the city of Trenton – thecapital of New Jersey andcounty seat ofMercer County.
During the mid-to-late 1990s,Eastwind Airlines operated a hub out of Trenton to Florida and North Carolina as well as airports in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.[17] The airline also flew fromPhiladelphia for a short time. This was one of the few instances where Trenton–Mercer saw scheduled jet service from its short runways withBoeing 737-200 and737-700 aircraft although other airlines operated jet service, as well.[17]
From 1998 until 2003,Shuttle America operated a scheduled business commuter service to airports in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, and North Carolina.[18] The airline flew 50 seatde Havilland Canada Dash 8-311 turboprops and had all its aircraft stocked with in-flight service items when stopping in Trenton. The airline ceased operations at TTN after acodeshare service withUS Airways drew customers to nearbyPhiladelphia from Trenton.[18]
Also occurring in 1998 was the completion of the airport'sNWS/FAAautomated surface observing system (ASOS), replacing the human weather observers that had previously reported weather conditions; the facility became operational on March 11 of that year.[11]
Beginning in May 2000,Boston-Maine Airways operated the Pan Am Clipper Connection between Trenton–Mercer Airport andHanscom Field inBedford,Massachusetts. The flight operated until 2008, was terminated when Boston-Maine Airways ceased operating on February 28 of that year.[19]
In 2006 and 2007,Comair flew toAtlanta andBoston from Trenton asDelta Connection, usingCanadair CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft.[20] After a few months,Big Sky Airlines took over the Boston service withBeechcraft 1900 commuter turboprops. The service ended in early January 2008.[20]
On April 4, 2011,Streamline Airlines briefly re-commenced the former Pan-Am Clipper Connection route between Bedford–Hanscom and Trenton, using anEmbraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprop.[21] The carrier was consistently losing money and shut down on September 14, 2012, citing a poor economic climate and unprofitable operations.[22]
In 2012, Frontier Airlines began service at Trenton with flights between it and Florida, utilizing theAirbus A320 family of aircraft.[23][24] By early 2013, the airline began expanding service and established a base at Trenton.[23][25]
On November 8, 2013, TTN opened a renovated terminal – including a new modular trailer baggage claim outside the terminal, restrooms in the gate area (there were previously no restrooms past security), and additional passenger seating and a new gate in the area formerly occupied by the original baggage claim.[26]
In August 2014, the airport was awarded $2.2 million to rehabilitate three taxiways. A spokesperson for the county said that this was the first phase of a three-year plan to make further improvements.[27]
In November 2016,Allegiant Air commenced service at Trenton, with flights between it andOrlando,Punta Gorda, andTampa/St. Petersburg.[23] However, Allegiant ended all service at the airport on April 29, 2018, leaving Frontier as the only commercial tenant.[28]
For many years, the county has planned to replace the outdated terminal at the airport. These plans have been opposed by residents along the flight path living in Ewing,Lawrence,Hopewell, andPennington. Opposition has also been expressed inPennsylvania among residents living along the flight path inYardley andLower Makefield.[29]
Mercer County has a variety of taxicab companies that operate from theTrenton Transit Center, which services theNortheast Corridor viaAmtrak,New Jersey Transit andSEPTA railroads.[30]
NJ Transit Route 608 bus stops on Sam Weinroth Road near the terminal for travel to SEPTA'sWest Trenton station for connections to SEPTA'sWest Trenton Line to Center City Philadelphia,Trenton Transit Center for connections toAmtrak, NJ Transit'sNortheast Corridor Line to Newark & New York,River Line to Camden, SEPTA'sTrenton Line to Center City Philadelphia, other NJ Transit bus routes to points in Mercer County, South Jersey, and Philadelphia, and SEPTA Suburban Bus Route 127 toOxford Valley Mall in Langhorne, PA, andHamilton station for connections to NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line to Newark & New York. Fare is $1.85 one way for adults, and operates daily.
 Operator | Destination | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines (operated by Landline) | Philadelphia | Passengers check bags & clear security at TTN, and go directly to PHL viamotorcoach | [31] |
American Airlines announced in July 2025 that it will establish a connecting bus toPhiladelphia International Airport from Trenton Airport.[32] The service is ticketed & operated as an airline flight but will utilize buses, given Philadelphia's close proximity to Trenton and available connections as a major hub for American Airlines. This airside-to-airside service, which is solely for screened passengers who booked a seat on the route, is operated by American's bus service partner, Landline, on the airline's behalf. As of September 21, 2025, American Airlines has commenced their bus operations and offered three daily scheduled busses from Trenton to Philadelphia International Airport.
.JPG)
Trenton–Mercer Airport covers 1,345 acres (544 ha) at anelevation of 212 feet (65 m) abovemean sea level. It has twoasphaltrunways: 6/24 is 6,006 by 150 feet (1,831 x 46 m) and 16/34 is 4,800 by 150 feet (1,463 x 46 m). The airport has threehelipads, H1, H2, and H3, each 64 by 64 feet (20 x 20 m).[2][33] To meet FAA requirements that certain runways be equipped with anEMAS bed before the end of 2013, the airport installed EMAS beds at both ends of runway 16/34 in 2012; officials announced plans in early 2013 to close runway 6/24 for two months that fall to install an EMAS bed at both ends.[34]
Trenton–Mercer Airport is home to multiple flight schools including Infinity Flight Group,[35]Mercer County Community College, and anATP Flight School location.[36]
Trenton–Mercer Airport has one terminal with four gates.[26][37] Gate 2 is divided into three sub-gates labeled Gates 2–4. On the upper level of the terminal (before security) is an observation lounge as well as a restaurant, Sky Lounge at Ewing, servingpub food. Sky Lounge has another location past security near Gate 1 serving drinks and pre-packaged sandwiches and wraps. Parking is $2 per hour and $10 per day.[37]
The airport is home to Army Aviation Support Facility #2 and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment, otherwise known as the 1-150th General Support Aviation Battalion of the New JerseyArmy National Guard. Equipped withUH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, the battalion provides ground force commanders of the42nd Infantry Division (Mechanized) with additional air assault, transportation, re-supply, and command and control assets. In its state role under Title 32 United States Code, the unit also provides emergency logistical support in response to disasters or any other emergency support as may be directed by theGovernor of New Jersey.[38]
The airport is also home to the Twin Pine Composite Squadron (NER-NJ-092) of the New Jersey Wing of theCivil Air Patrol.[39]
For the 12-month period ending April 2, 2019, the airport had 112,513 aircraft operations, an average of 308 per day: 92%general aviation, 4%commercial, 4%air taxi, and <1%military. In May 2020, there were 153 aircraft based at this airport: 86 single-engine, 21 multi-engine, 29jet, and 17helicopter.[2]
The airport is owned by the County of Mercer and is operated by the Mercer County Department of transportation & Infrastructure.[40][41]
In a study commissioned by the county released in 2013, a new passenger terminal, a corporate office park, medical offices and laboratories, and commercial space would be part of a plan to develop available land at the airport.[42] On September 29, 2016, Mercer County in conjunction with firms Urban Engineers and McFarland Johnson held a public meeting at the nearby West Trenton Ballroom meeting hall. Several aspects of the proposed master plan for the airport were revealed. Plans call for a new terminal sized at 115,000–125,000 square feet. The current terminal is 24,780 square feet. The rental car area will house up to five rental car agencies and with concession, restrooms and gate areas expanding to four times the current area.[43]
In 2021, Mercer County released a draftenvironmental assessment for public comment revealing the final plans for the terminal, which will be 125,000 square feet (11,600 m2) and includes a 1,000-space, four-level parking garage, which would bring the number of available parking spaces to approximately 2,900.[44][45]
In March 2022, the FAA issued its approval for the project. At the time, the estimated completion date of the terminal and parking garage was mid-to-late 2024.[37] As of 2024, the estimated completion date has been pushed back to about 2026.[41][46]
| Airlines | Destinations | Refs |
|---|---|---|
| Allegiant Air | Fort Lauderdale (begins February 19, 2026),[47]Punta Gorda (FL) (begins February 20, 2026),[47]St. Petersburg/Clearwater (begins February 20, 2026)[47] | [48] |
| Frontier Airlines | Atlanta,Orlando,Tampa Seasonal:Fort Myers,Myrtle Beach,[49]West Palm Beach | [50] |
| Year | Passengers | Year | Passengers | Year | Passengers | Year | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 15,000 | 2008 | 330 | 2014 | 294,000 | 2020 | 259,000 |
| 2003 | 42,000 | 2009 | 0 | 2015 | 774,000 | 2021 | 488,000 |
| 2004 | 23,000 | 2010 | 0 | 2016 | 553,000 | 2022 | 656,000 |
| 2005 | 17,000 | 2011 | 0 | 2017 | 722,000 | 2023 | 650,000 |
| 2006 | 18,000 | 2012 | 4,000 | 2018 | 796,000 | 2024 | 479,000 |
| 2007 | 48,000 | 2013 | 9,000 | 2019 | 919,000 | 2025 |
| Rank | Carrier | Passengers | % of market |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frontier | 382,000 | 100.00% |
| Rank | City | Passengers | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Orlando, Florida | 87,750 | Frontier |
| 2 | Tampa, Florida | 44,480 | Frontier |
| 3 |  Atlanta, Georgia | 20,800 | Frontier |
| 4 | Fort Myers, Florida | 13,170 | Frontier |
| 5 | West Palm Beach, Florida | 11,280 | Frontier |
| 6 |  Charlotte, North Carolina | 3,600 | Frontier |
| 7 | Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina | 2,920 | Frontier |
World War II During World War II, factories in the area devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the war effort. General Motors became Eastern Aircraft, and made a critical contribution to the war effort through the production of the Navy Avenger Torpedo Bomber. Assemblies from other plants on the East Coast were transported via the Reading Railroad to the Ewing plant, where they joined Ewing-fabricated sections in final assembly. Bombers off the line were sent to the Skillman (now Trenton–Mercer) airport, where they were tested before delivery to the Navy.
