Naples Airport, which began in 1943 as a military airfield, has undergone numerous improvements over the years—and as it celebrates its 80th anniversary, more upgrades are planned for a quieter and more environmentally friendly airport.
The self-sustaining airport, which uses no taxpayer money, handled more than 200,000 passengers last year, supports 5,454 jobs and generates a $781 million annual economic impact, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. That’s a 77% increase from its prior valuation in 2019.
In April, it began a drainage-improvement project to eliminate water pooling on airfield surfaces, improve aircraft safety and reduce bird activity, and installed 100 security cameras to deter vandalism and theft. In May, the Naples Airport Authority (NAA), which oversees operations, approved spending up to $1.6 million for landscaping and irrigation improvements along Airport Road and its entrance.
Renovations at the General Aviation Terminal in the Naples Airport took place in 2021 and included an expanded passenger lounge with a modern coastal vision on Wednesday June 28, 2023. (Photo by Chris Tilley)
“It’s part of the city’s vision plan, for the airport to be a gateway to the community,” NAA Community Outreach and Communications Manager Zachary Burch said of Naples City Council. “We view ourselves as the first and last impression for a lot of folks coming to our community and we want our terminal and facilities to be up to par with what they experience in our community, which is obviously very high-end.”
A nearly $8 million General Aviation Terminal coastal contemporary renovation was completed in May 2022, all paid for by NAA funds (fuel sales, land rentals and hangar fees).
The terminal’s yellow exterior was replaced with white, highlighted by sea-blue Bahama shutters and wavy white canopies to provide shade at entryways, as well as a white-and-teal outdoor seating area. The terminal, waiting areas, pilots’ lounge and administration area went through a coastal contemporary redesign, making them more modern and functional, while reflecting the beauty of Naples. Other renovations are planned, and the airport has also replaced a good deal of equipment.
In February 2022, the FAA and the aviation industry established the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions, or EAGLE, initiative to safely eliminate leaded aviation fuels in piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030; only the aviation industry still uses leaded gas. In June, Naples Airport began offering UL94 unleaded avgas, which is about $4.50 more per gallon. To encourage use, Burch said, the airport will offer it at the same price.
“It helps reduce maintenance costs and improves the longevity of oil changes, spark plugs and other things they have to change routinely on aircraft, but the main benefit is that the aviation and fueling industry are committed to getting rid of leaded fuel,” Burch explained.
Naples Airport General Aviation Terminal. Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
Not all aircraft are certified to use UL94, so the airport is giving tenants and base aircraft a $250 credit toward obtaining a certificate, leaving about $100 for pilots to pay. “It’s a pretty big commitment, financially and otherwise, but the board believes it’s the right thing to do,” Burch said.
In addition to private commercial flights, the airport hosts flight schools, aircraft charters and sales, an air ambulance, corporate aviation, the Civil Air Patrol, Collier County MedFlight, Naples’ Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting, the County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit and the Collier Mosquito Control District. It’s also used as a practice site for first responders and utility crews who stage natural disasters, such as simulated hurricanes and tornadoes.
In 2020, the airport landed at No. 10 on a list of the nation’s busiest private jet airports, but it’s since dropped to No. 13. Last year, it hosted 122,281 takeoffs and landings, records show, and the airport is home to 360 aircraft.
That increase, and others due to more people flying here during the pandemic, prompted complaints from neighbors. In fiscal year 2021, 92 residents made 257 comments about noise, which grew to 144 residents calling 723 times last year. The number has dropped to 101 residents complaining 469 times this year.
Since the state Legislature created the NAA in 1969, it’s continued to work on being a better neighbor to the community, investing $10 million since 2000 in noise-abatement efforts recommended by its Noise Compatibility Committee. It achieved 98.8% compliance by pilots voluntarily adhering to its 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, which it publicizes in reports naming violators. As a result, complaints have decreased, with a 31.3% drop in curfew violations compared to 2022, and 54.2% fewer complaints about noise.
A noise study, which began in 2019 and involved more than 100 public meetings and presentations, resulted in nearly 100 initial recommendations by the community. In April, the NAA adopted recommendations, which were sent to the FAA.
Renovations at the General Aviation Terminal in the Naples Airport took place in 2021 and included a new Market Place where passengers can enjoy food and beverages on Wednesday June 28, 2023. (Photo by Chris Tilley)
“The adoption of these noise abatement measures demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our community, neighbors and the environment,” NAA Executive Director Chris Rozansky said then, calling it a significant milestone.
Recommendations included increasing the slope of the glide to the end of runways; increasing the 2,000-foot “higher-faster” slopes; and promoting voluntary noise-abatement departure procedures and optimized descent procedures. Commentors also recommended moving flight paths over different areas, including a golf course, and using different runways. Many jets now fly over the industrial park to reduce noise.
Burch noted that the airport has spent more than $200,000 on a consultant to study enacting those recommendations, including those the FAA expressed reservations about. The FAA controls the airport, which can only ban jets 75,000 pounds and over. It’s prohibited from mandating a curfew, barring flights or punishing pilots for noise complaints or curfew violations.
Mary Tatigian, who lives 8 miles away in Golden Gate Estates, said the noise is nearly constant during season, mostly from private NetJets and Elite Jets. There wasn’t a problem when she bought her home 23 years ago.
“It’s 60 to 90 times a day and it’s loud,” Tatigian said, adding that she counted 21 in one hour. “You can’t sit outside. I can even hear it in my shower. It’s the first thing I hear in the morning and the last thing I hear at night before bed.”
A registered nurse, Tatigian is concerned about the health effects of noise and leaded gas particles dropping down. She started Quiet Florida, which is working with an Olde Naples group and others nationally, including Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance and Quiet Communities in Massachusetts.
“They’re pushing legislation. This has gotten huge. Noise is a health issue,” she said, adding that she’s considered hurricane-impact windows, but they’re around $60,000. “What do we live here for? We live to be outside. Those ultra-fine particles travel up to 12 miles. People in flight paths have a lot more chronic diseases, brain cancer being one.”
She’s done TV interviews, written newspaper editorials and contacted the FAA, the NAA, airport officials, Naples City Council, the Board of County Commissioners, two congressmen, a state senator and the state health department.
“I want to push, push, push,” she said, adding that she gives the NAA kudos for encouraging pilots to use unleaded gas and adhere to curfews. “We appreciate that. But the flights are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., all day.”
The NAA continues to work with residents, who have even suggested moving the airport. In June, the NAA approved hiring a consultant to look at alternative sites to see if anything is feasible, although there is very little developable land left in the county. “We’re doing everything in our power to try to improve,” Burch said.
NetJets, once the biggest curfew violator, had more than 200 curfew violations by this time last year, Burch said, but its CEO came to Naples and committed to following the curfew, prompting violations to drop to about 15 during that period. Elite Jets had 79 curfew violations during that time, which decreased to 31.
“It shows the commitment of our tenants and other pilots, our transient customers,” Burch said, adding that total jet curfew violations dropped 47.4%. “We are one of the most noise-sensitive communities in the country … but every airport in America has noise concerns.”
To further reduce noise and curfew complaints, he said, the airport is rolling out an incentive program in October, the start of the fiscal year, to reward good pilots and air services. It will measure curfew and noise violations, arrival and departure altitudes, and the noisiest Stage 3 jets.
“If we can incentivize our pilots, owners and tenants to not fly during the curfew, to fly a little higher whenever possible … that will be an improvement for the community,” Burch said, adding that incentives will include good publicity and discounts for pilots and air services. “We’re going to put our money where our mouth is to further address issues that we hear the complaints about.”
To read the NAA noise report, click here.
This story first appeared in The Naples Press on July 14.
