About Groton-New London Airport


Groton – New London Airport (KGON) is a public-use, publicly owned general aviation airport on 489 acres. It is located in the Town of Groton, seven miles from New London’s city center, in New London County and is situated in the Mystic Region, a popular area for visitors.  The airport consists of two asphalt runways: 4,000 feet and 5,000 feet long, and a supporting infrastructure that includes a taxiway system, aircraft parking aprons, hangar facilities, an instrument landing system, an air traffic control tower, automated weather observation stations, vehicle parking and numerous tenant facilities. FAA contract tower operating hours are 7 am to 10 pm daily.

The Airport’s primary role is to serve general aviation, business, recreational and tourist-related demand in southeastern Connecticut.  To meet this demand, the Airport provides infrastructure and aeronautical support facilities for corporate jets, and multi- and single-engine aircraft operators.  A complimentary range of FBO (Fixed Based Operator) services and amenities are offered including aircraft maintenance, fuel, storage, sales, rentals, and personal flight instruction.  Additional services available include private charter flights, underwater egress training for pilots and passengers, as well as car and truck rentals.  There is also a full service restaurant in the main terminal.  A Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station is available 24 hours daily in the parking lot adjacent to 165 Tower Avenue.  Charging is free to the public.

Although a majority of operations occurring at the Airport involve general aviation aircraft, the Airport is home to the Army National Guard’s 1109th Theatre Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group (TASMG).  The TASMG assists in deployment and redeployment, provides technical assistance in support of Army aviation, and accounts for a considerable number of military flight operations from and to the Airport.

Airport History

Groton – New London Airport was established as the first State of Connecticut airport in 1929.  Many celebrities have flown into KGON since then including aviatrix Amelia Earhart who married in Groton in 1931. It was originally named Trumbull Airport after Governor Jonathan Trumbull.  During World War II, the airport was designated Groton Army Air Field as a major United States Army Air Forces training center for pilots and aircrews. Later in the war, it was transferred for operation to the United States Navy who built the runway and taxiway system. The State of Connecticut resumed airport ownership and operations in 1949.  Then in 1984, the State was approved to hold an FAA Airport Operating Certificate (AOC) to operate commercial air service which flew until 2004; and the Airport retains its AOC today. Effective July 1, 2013, FAA approved transfer of the State’s six airports, including Groton – New London Airport, from the Connecticut Department of Transportation to the Connecticut Airport Authority.

 

NEW! Art At the Airport

The Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition and Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) have inaugurated an art in the airport program at Groton – New London Airport, click here to read more.