It's a saying meaning that his apology is a day late
If he wanted a menorah perhaps he should have spent the dollars for one and then given it to the airport.
Hence,
a day late and a dollar short.
The rabbi said his religion doesn't allow him to have contact with the media on the Sabbath. Not commenting, just reporting what he said.
Actually, I think the Rabbi that started this, is part of a group that does just that.
Did A Lone Rabbi Mean to Ban Christmas Trees?
Theyve already succeeded in magnificent terms in installing some 6,000 highly visible menorahs in public places across the country (including, by the way, the Washington State Capitol in Olympia) and even at unlikely sites like Red Square in Moscow.
and see post #82 from this thread for pictures: