The Port Authority is studying the possibility of taking over Atlantic City International Airport. One aviation expert doesn’t think it’ll help relieve air traffic at New York’s major hubs, but it could create a bigger market for South Jersey.

After more than four decades of flying experience, retired pilot JP Tristani knows his airports.

As an aviation consultant, he thinks any effort to expand Atlantic City International could build a new market for air travel in South Jersey – and not just for passengers.  

 “And when you have increased, say, cargo movements, you have increased business. You could probably get more manufacturing or businesses that deal with air cargo to use that airport.”

Atlantic City’s airport only has a tiny fraction of the traffic at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports where delays have a ripple effect across the country.

Tristani says while an expanded airport in Atlantic City wouldn’t compete with these major hubs, it could give better access to passengers who are farther South. But he warns that with bigger capacity comes a need for noise control… and bigger money.