American Airlines proposes Naples Airport service return

Naples Airport Authority will continue negotiations with American Airlines to restore commercial passenger service at Naples Airport for the first time since 2017. 

The airport has hosted several commercial airlines over the years, including American Eagle, Delta Connection, Cape Air and Elite Airways. Carriers offered flights to destinations including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta and Newark before commercial service gradually declined as nearby Southwest Florida International Airport expanded. 

American Airlines sent the NAA a letter of intent May 13 expressing interest in regional service to and from Naples. The proposal was discussed during the NAA Board of Commissioners meeting May 21, when American Airlines Director of Domestic Planning Jordan Pack outlined the carrier’s plans. 

Service plans and operational details  

Pack said the airline hopes to begin service in December with flights between Naples and Charlotte, home to American Airlines’ second-largest hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. The Charlotte hub handles more than 600 daily flights, including international service, and is known for white rocking chairs in which travelers relax between flights. 

The airline plans to operate the flights through its American Eagle brand and wholly owned subsidiary PSA Airlines using 65-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 regional jets. The aircraft’s 75,000-pound maximum takeoff weight is consistent with the airport’s existing fleet mix and within established limits. 

Vice Chair John Crees noted that the CRJ jets are quieter than the Gulfstream aircraft currently using the runway. 

Pack said the airline has been considering returning to Naples for some time and plans to begin with two to three daily round trips scheduled outside the airport’s voluntary curfew hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. 

“We believe that there’s an unmet demand by the residents of Naples, and the visitors of Naples, who would prefer to use a direct airport, closer airport right here in the community,” Pack said. “More important, though, I’m here to emphasize that American Airlines wants to be a collaborative, long-term and, most importantly, safe partner to the airport and community.” 

Airport facilities and capacity considerations 

The airline would operate out of one gate at the airport’s North Regional Terminal and share the space with scheduled charter service company JSX, Netjets private jet service and rental-car companies.  

The terminal would require minor modifications to accommodate commercial service. The airport would need to implement federal Transportation Security Administration security screening, required for commercial flights in the U.S. 

Preliminary discussions have taken place with TSA at Southwest Florida International Airport in unincorporated Lee County, which would oversee security operations in Naples. NAA Executive Director Chris Rozansky said staffing and equipment for Naples Airport would be in place by December. 

Concerns were raised about whether Naples Airport would have the capacity to accommodate additional airlines if they sought to operate there. NAA aviation attorney Peter Kirsch told commissioners the airport is legally obligated to negotiate with potential carriers in good faith. 

“The space — that is a natural limiting factor,” Rozansky said.  

Only one gate would be available for commercial use, meaning airlines would need to share the space. 

Public input and survey plans 

Rozansky said the question he hears most often when representing the airport is when commercial service will return to Naples. He added that in the NAA’s 2025 sentiment survey, one of the most common responses to an open-ended question about airport improvements was a desire for commercial air service. 

During public comment, several residents voiced concerns, including Mary Tatigian, a member of the NAA Noise Compatibility Committee. She called on the board to take “immediate and decisive action” to prevent American Airlines from beginning service at Naples Airport, warning that approval could open the door for additional airlines to follow. 

“The introduction of American Airlines is not an isolated event,” she said. “It is part of a predictable pattern. Once one major carrier enters, others follow: Delta, United and more. At that point, this airport no longer functions as a municipal airport serving a local community.” 

The NAA commissioners asked Rozansky to distribute a survey to county and city residents regarding commercial service at Naples Airport. 

The survey — consisting of approximately 12 to 15 questions and conducted by American Pulse Research & Polling — will be sent to registered voters countywide. It is expected to yield about 500 responses in time for the board’s next available meeting on June 18.