Executive Director of Airports Richard Strickland gave an update to a crowd of 80 guests at the June 16, 2026, Marathon Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The following information is intended as a guide for the public as to how service will be facilitated at MTH.

The first step in the process is complete: the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at is May meeting unanimously approved a resolution supporting the growth of air service at MTH and to waive landing fees and terminal rent for the first two years of service from a commercial airline.

The airport has applied for a Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant, a competitive program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is designed to help communities reduce the financial risk for airlines that are considering starting service in a new market. The SCASD grant often requires a local community contribution or incentive package. 

Monroe County Tourist Development Council 

Visit Florida 

Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce

EOS Hospitality

Marathon Two Hospitality Holdings, LLC

Marathon Hospitality LLC

Key Largo Hospitality Group LLC 

OTO Hospitality 

These organizations have contributed a total amount of $1,530,000. The airport itself will contribute $100,000 for marketing. 

The federal SCASD grant and local funds work together as an airline recruitment package.

Service from American Airlines to Miami, United Airlines to Washington Dulles, or Delta Air Lines service to Atlanta would work best for service at Marathon Airport, according to the airport’s Air Service Development consultant Michael Lum. 

“Hopefully everyone understands we are not looking for just a flight to Miami, Atlanta or Dulles. It’s the thirty cities that connect with those hubs,” Strickland said.

One flight per day.

The airport will need to make terminal modifications and start a security badging system for personnel, among other improvements.

Potential benefits of commercial service include increased tourism, economic development, jobs, and convenient travel options for the Middle Keys community.

Depending on which airline chooses to engage in a commercial service agreement, service could begin in late 2027.

A long history of scheduled commercial air service dates back to 1959, when National Airlines first served the airport. Over the following decades, numerous regional and commuter airlines, including American Eagle, Delta Connection, Cape Air, and Gulfstream International connected Marathon to destinations throughout Florida and beyond. Scheduled service ended in 2009.