RONKONKOMA, NY-As elected leaders call for JetBlue to consider expanding to Long Island’s MacArthur Airport, plans are moving forward for the development of 50 acres of land around the nearby Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station.

State Senator Chuck Schumer recently sent a letter to JetBlue CEO Dave Barger, outlining the reasons that the airline might consider the airport as part of its planned northeast expansion. According to the letter, posted on Sen. Schumer’s website, those reasons are based upon recent demographic evidence that speaks to the region “growing eastward, with the largest current and projected population growth” within the area around the airport.

A JetBlue spokesperson tells GlobeSt.com that no expansion plans have been set for the northeast, and that adding new destinations involves a rather lengthy process. “The timeline for adding a new destination, including analysis, planning and execution,” the spokesperson says, “generally ranges from 8 months to 3 years.” Of chief concern is ensuring that a new location will be sustainable in the long term.