Marlboro Airport operators
welcome community Saturday
MARLBORO — A day of fun, rides and exhibits is being planned by the new owners and management of the Marlboro Airport, Route 79 at Harbor Road, at an open house to be held at the facility on Saturday.
According to William T. Bienes, airport manager, the day’s events have been planned by the airport’s new owners, Marlboro Holdings LLC, to welcome the community to the airport, which has existed in Marlboro for more than 50 years.
Bienes, who was employed at the airport by the past owners, became the facility’s manager in charge of daily operations when the new owners took title to the property in February. He came to work at the Marlboro Airport 10 years ago when the Colts Neck Airport, where he was formerly employed, closed.
"We want to share with the community the many features available at the airport," Bienes said. "Many area residents have enjoyed coming to the airport to watch planes take off and land, which continues to be an attraction today."
The open house, to be held from 11 a.m. to about 4 p.m., will be attended by personnel representing Marlboro’s emergency services teams, including the local fire companies, first aid squads and the police department.
"The police will conduct a community service program by taking photo IDs of children to be used in the event of an emergency," Bienes said. "The various response teams will be on hand with their vehicles and will greet the guests and talk to them about their services and operations."
The open house will feature an exhibit of antique cars and vintage aircraft, as well as airplane rides, food and refreshments and a tour of the facility, Bienes said.
"Marlboro Holdings LLC is a partnership of three Staten Island, N.Y., businessmen who are undertaking a new venture in airport ownership," Bienes said. "One of the partners is an airplane pilot who has a plane housed at a hangar here."
Since taking over the airport, the new owners have made some improvements at the facility, including upgrading the access road to the airport complex and adding a 350-foot grass overrun at the end of the runway.
"The airport has a relatively short runway, which ended in a gully area surrounded by trees," Bienes said. "That area has now been extended with a cleared overrun as a safety measure."
According to Bienes, the airport has seen a steady flow of single engine airplane traffic in and out of the facility since the early 1950s. Prior to that, it was a privately owned airstrip.
A flight school has been re-established at the airport and airplane rentals are now available, he said. The airport’s restaurant, under new management, is available for year-round dining.
"There’s something here for everyone, including the experienced pilot, the airplane enthusiast and those interested in airports as a hobby and a curiosity," Bienes said. "We hope the public will come out and see what we’re all about."
— Bob Fleming

