A City and an Economy Built Around an Airport by Chris Rozansky Executive Director

In 1943, the Naples Airport – then known as the Naples Army Airfield – opened as a World War II training site for bomber crews and fighter pilots. Back then, Naples was a quiet, remote fishing village, the picture-perfect postcard image of “Old Florida.” Collier County’s population at the time was estimated at 5,000 residents, but tourism was a non-factor because the area lacked amenities and was difficult to access.

After the war, the airport struggled to attract enough business to pay its bills. In fact, despite the establishment of intrastate airline service in the 1950s, the City of Naples often had to subsidize operations and eventually requested that the Florida Legislature create an independent Naples Airport Authority to oversee airfield operations and finances. When that occurred in 1969, the county’s population had grown to about 38,000 residents. Acres of pastureland near the coast were being converted to residential property, but many roads were still unpaved, and I-75’s southern terminus was Tampa.

Today, the U.S. Census lists Collier’s population at 416,233 people and growing. The Naples coastline is filled with multimillion-dollar estates and luxury high-rises, while U.S. 41 and 5th Avenue South feature a multitude of high-end restaurants, retail shops, and art galleries. Post-Hurricane Ian redevelopment has reshaped the coastline with new world-class hospitality destinations that are drawing additional air traffic to Naples.

Meanwhile, Naples Airport is the gateway to everything people love about Naples – just minutes to downtown, beautiful beaches, fine dining, stunning hotels, shopping, golf, fishing and so much more. With an economic value of $781 million annually, according to the Florida Department of Education, Naples Airport helps to power the City of Naples and Collier County.

The airport is responsible for 5,454 direct and indirect jobs, which account for $261 million in payroll wages. Those salaries go right back into our region’s economy as residents spend their money shopping and dining at local establishments or purchasing goods and services from local businesses.

Naples Airport is preparing for the return of commercial airline service, which was quite robust until airlines began focusing more attention on Southwest Florida International Airport in the early 2000s. Commercial service at Naples Airport ended in 2017, but American Airlines recently expressed its interest in offering daily service to its hub in Charlotte, N.C., starting in December that would provide residents and visitors with convenient one-stop access to nearly 180 destinations worldwide. An agreement with American is being negotiated, coordination with TSA is underway and necessary facility improvements are in design.

All this without relying on local taxpayer dollars to fund operations. Naples Airport is self-sustaining, relying on revenue from fuel sales, hangar rentals, and other related services. An equally impressive fact is that Naples Airport currently operates with no debt.

During the 2025 fiscal year, Naples Airport had 125,926 total takeoffs and landings and maintained nearly 99% compliance with the airport’s voluntary nighttime curfew. Neapolitans know Naples Airport is the preferred landing strip for private jets and charter air services, but not as many residents know that Naples Airport also serves as a hub for emergency response after a natural disaster. Critical public service providers based at Naples Airport include Collier County MedFlight, Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting, the Collier County Sheriff ’s Office Aviation Unit and Collier Mosquito Control District – each offering services that make this a stronger community. That’s exactly what Naples Airport has been doing since 1943.

Chris Rozansky, is the Executive Director, Naples Airport Authority (Featured Photo) 

For more information about Naples Airport, please visit FlyNaples.com or contact NAA@FlyNaples.com to schedule an airfield tour.

Want to learn more about the Naples Airport?
Check out our FAQ’s at www.flynaples.com/faq
For a tour of the airport, or to arrange for a speaker at your group’s next meeting, call (239) 643-0733

For more information, visit the Naples Airport Authority’s website at www.flynaples.com
Want to learn more about the NAA?
Visit the FAQ page of our website (flynaples.com/faq), or invite a member of our team to speak with your group.