A TJ Maxx distribution center and an ice skating rink opened in 2001 on land leased from the airport.

Residential neighborhoods and businesses have since developed close to the airport, so pilots must observe noise abatement procedures.

Further west was Budd Field (built for Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company, later as a golf course and other parts for housing) and Somerton Airport (near Bustleton Avenue and Red Lion Road), no longer in existence, close enough that pilots had to take care not to infringe on adjacent traffic patterns.

The United States Army Air Corps began construction of a 545 acres (221 ha) airbase in Northeast Philadelphia during World War II, but the project was never completed and the property was turned over to the city in 1944.

Northeast Philadelphia Airport covers 1,150 acres (470 ha) at an elevation of 120 feet (37 m) above mean sea level.

[2] In the year ending December 7, 2022, the airport had 83,551 aircraft operations, average 229 per day: 94% general aviation, 5% air taxi and less than 1% military.