Living in Mercer County is convenient, with options to fly anywhere in the world within an hour’s drive to Newark or Philadelphia. However, with increased TSA security lines, massive airport delays, parking fees and often traffic en route, it has become even more desirable to have an airport right in our capital county. Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) in Ewing has been on a trajectory of growth and expansion for several years, and though there have been some delays and objections, County Executive Dan Benson has made it a priority to move forward. With a larger passenger terminal to be built adjacent to – and eventually replacing – the existing one, modernization of all infrastructure and more airline presence, the airport hopes to become an even more convenient and economically beneficial for the community. 2026 is expected to see more of that come to fruition.
BEYOND THE FRONTIER
Passenger service is not new in the county. In the 1990s, larger national airlines including US Airways and United operated regular flights alongside regional carriers. In 2012, Frontier Airlines launched its first flight and has been primarily the only scheduled commercial carrier at TTN since.
For two years, starting 2016, Allegiant operated flights to/from TTN, but that ceased…until now. On February 19, the carrier is expected to resume operations with nonstop routes from Trenton to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Service will soon follow to Punta Gorda and St. Pete-Clearwater as well.
In addition, TTN expanded its connections through cooperating service with American Airlines (AA). In September 2025, Landline began, an opportunity for locals to board a bus at the county airport that transfers them to Philadelphia International Airport for continuation on an AA flight. This not only an increased travel options for locals but also is beneficial for the airport’s future.
“Passengers using the Landline service are counted as enplanements in FAA reporting. Maintaining and growing enplanement levels is important for the airport, as those figures are used in determining eligibility for certain federal grant programs and aviation funding,” shares Sam Weiss, Mercer County Deputy Director of Communications.
GROWING CONCERNS
The planned growth has not been without its controversy. Though FAA approvals have been in place, local groups such as Trenton Threatened Skies and Bucks Residents for Responsible Airport Management have been working for years to limit or stop the advancement. Citing the county has not been forthright with regards to the environmental and health impacts, opponents have pushed for more in-depth environmental and health studies before moving forward. They have also voiced concerns about reduced quality of life and actual costs, should major expansion come to fruition. Thus far, no court has agreed to stop construction or expansion permits.
FOLLOWING THROUGH
Since his 2023 campaign days for county executive, Dan Benson has promised to continue and complete the airport modernization and improvement projects that were initiated under his predecessor, County Executive Brian Hughes. Those include replacing and upgrading the airport terminal, enabling more economic growth and using local union labor to create safety improvements.
Currently under construction is the new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility, which is expected to be completed this year. This is an essential safety measure needed to support a new terminal. Before it can be built, the terminal structure also needs site preparation and utility relocation. Those are set to take place this year as well.
“The Trenton Mercer Airport is an important economic driver for our region, bringing significant economic activity into our communities,” says Benson. “The new terminal will make TTN a more desirable destination for tourists and make travel more convenient for our residents. Our broader work to upgrade airport facilities will help to ensure that we remain competitive and continue to attract investments that will support residents, businesses, and jobs in Mercer County.”
Though exact details and timelines are not yet set for additional supporting infrastructure, this year the county is also working to design the air traffic control tower lighting vault and other airport needs.
FULL-SERVICE AIRPORT
One existing area of the airport you may be familiar with, if you have ever arrived early for your flight, waited to pick up a guest or experienced a delay, is TTN’s only restaurant and bar. Sky Lounge has been operating under that name since 2013. A 70-seat space is located upstairs in the terminal (before security and available to non-flyers), with a concession area and bar also located by the gates, for flying passengers only.
The restaurant and concession are open based upon the flight schedule (and its delays). The staff are incredibly flexible and available as the airline (and often weather) makes changes. That also means that since 2012, its hours have been controlled by Frontier’s departure schedule which used to be quite full but has since cut back. Sky Lounge is hoping the future expansion will bring back more hours and business to them, too.
“Allegiant is supposed to come in. I haven’t seen that schedule yet to know what it will bring. American Airlines is in here with the bus to Philadelphia Airport, and I hope that translates into something positive, and hopefully Frontier continues to offer their flight schedule as well. The combination of the three won’t go back to when Frontier ran 10 flights a day, but hopefully will offer more,” explains Sky Lounge operator Jim Hines, who also owns Mercer Oak Catering (with contracts for the County’s Mercer Oaks Golf Course in West Windsor and for The Boathouse on Mercer Lake at Mercer County Park).
Hines’ current contract operating Sky Lounge runs for at least another five years, but he is hopeful to continue on as the airport grows. There are plans to renovate both spaces soon, updating the terminal concession and bar area with some new equipment, tables and chairs and improving the upstairs restaurant and bar with nicer furniture as well. Hines is grateful his staff enjoys working there, and have for years, and is looking optimistically toward the future.
“I appreciate being up there, we’re flexible, we roll with the punches and realize the county is working hard to make that a destination for people to utilize,” insists Hines. “There’s no question in my mind the county is behind it, it’s just a matter of getting the right ingredients in terms of airlines and scheduling. I see it as nothing but a positive.”
THE FUTURE OF TTN
Once today’s 28,000-square-foot terminal is replaced by the new 125,000-square-foot terminal, TTN will offer a nicer experience for travelers with increased possibilities for the county, local residents and their guests. Though concerned residents have not given up their fight, with more terminal space, there is potential for additional route options and more.
Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!