A clash between private business and government interests is unfolding in Monmouth County, New Jersey, where the owner of Monmouth Executive Airport alleges an ambitious Netflix studio project is driving officials to seize his property.
Alan Antaki, the airport’s owner since 2013, has faced multiple purchase offers over the years but has repeatedly refused to sell. Now, Monmouth County officials are pursuing the 746-acre property through eminent domain, citing “security concerns” while fueling speculation that the move is tied to Netflix’s forthcoming $1 billion film production facility at the nearby Fort Monmouth site.
“This is a thriving business that I’ve spent years improving, and I’m not selling,” Antaki stated. “It’s outrageous that they would use eminent domain to take over my airport just to cash in on the Netflix project.”
Netflix’s Billion-Dollar Footprint in New Jersey
Netflix’s new studio, set to open by 2028 on the former Fort Monmouth Army base just 12 miles north of the airport, is poised to be the company’s second-largest production hub. Spread across 292 acres, the facility will feature over 1 million square feet of studio space. Netflix anticipates the project will mirror the success of its New Mexico studio, which has created thousands of jobs and nearly $900 million in investments since 2018.
Gov. Phil Murphy has championed the Fort Monmouth development as central to making New Jersey a leader in film and television production, with the state approving up to $387 million in tax incentives for Netflix’s expansion.
The Airport at the Center of the Storm
Monmouth Executive Airport, with its longer-than-LaGuardia runway, has been a cornerstone of the local community since its founding. Antaki claims he has revitalized the airport, paying off $2.8 million in back taxes, investing millions in safety and environmental upgrades, and tripling its business.
Despite these successes, county officials appear intent on taking control of the airport. In 2023, Wall Township attorneys notified Antaki of plans to inspect the property under eminent domain laws. Officials have hired consultants and a crisis management firm, further raising suspicions about their true motivations.
Antaki’s attorney, Matthew Dolan, isn’t convinced by the county’s stated concerns:
“It’s interesting that this sudden interest in the airport coincides with Netflix committing to its massive investment in the area.”
Alan Antaki owns Monmouth Executive Airport in Wall Township, which is at the center of a dispute between Antaki and Monmouth County officials. (Photo by Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor)
