Sustainability Initiatives Take Flight at Naples Airport

by Chris Rozansky, Executive Director,
Naples Airport Authority

Over the summer, Naples Airport was recognized by the Florida Airports Council (FAC) with its 2025 Benjamin J. Siwinski Sustainability Award.

This prestigious honor is just the latest award recognizing Naples Airport’s ongoing commitment to the environment, which includes programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve local air quality, increase operational resiliency and promote sustainable aviation practices across the general aviation sector.

The FAC’s Sustainability Award celebrates those who are leading the way in environmental innovation, whether it’s an individual, an airport or a business. Naples Airport was recognized for its transformative efforts in fuel and fleet electrification. It’s a big moment for Naples Airport, which continues to build on its environmental legacy. Just three years ago, the airport was recognized with the J. Bryan Cooper Environmental Award for its wildlife management program, which included water retention strategies and efforts to reduce wildlife conflicts.

Naples Airport has been phasing in “green” initiatives for years. Programs go well beyond recycling and switching to LED bulbs, though. The airport has spearheaded seismic shifts in aviation, such as encouraging operators to consider converting to alternative fuel sources to promote cleaner, more efficient aviation practices.

The Florida Airports Council was especially impressed with two elements of Naples Airport’s push toward sustainability:

Transformative Fuel Initiative: In December 2024, Naples Aviation became the first Fixed-Based Operator (FBO) in the Eastern U.S. to offer a regular supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), a low-carbon fuel from non-petroleum sources that helps to reduce greenhouse emissions. In June 2023, it began offering Unleaded Aviation Gasoline (UL 94), which is a clean-burning alternative to Aviation Gasoline (AvGas). Naples Airport also began issuing a $250 credit to incentivize tenants who obtain a Supplement Type Certificate to use Unleaded Aviation Gasoline.

Fleet Electrification: Naples Airport began transitioning its ground fleet from gas and diesel to electric vehicles. The initiative included the purchase of Ford Mach-E trucks, Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and electric golf carts for maintenance and operations teams, as well as Lektro electric aircraft tugs and electric ground power units (eGPUs).

There is, of course, a cost to “going green.” Thankfully, Naples Airport Authority’s Board of Commissioners share a passion for protecting the environment through sustainability. The board approved a $282,500 subsidy to offset the cost difference between UL 94 and traditional 100LL to encourage airport users to transition to the new fuel source. Commissioners also authorized
approximately $1 million for an initial investment in electric vehicles. Because Naples Airport operates without local tax dollars, sustainability initiatives are primarily funded through fuel sales, hangar rentals and other related services.

The Transformative Fuel Initiative has seen an immediate return on investment. Initial fuel sales data show Naples Airport replaced more than 20% of AvGas and Jet-A fuel sales with SAF and UL 94. This program ensures price parity for users and has proven highly successful. Naples Airport partners with Avfuel to supply SAF fuel to environmentally conscious tenants and users.

“This is a huge step forward in scaling SAF distribution and adoption within the business aviation sector,” Joel Hirst, Avfuel’s senior vice president of sales when announcing Naples Airport’s first delivery of SAF. “Avfuel is dedicated to making SAF more accessible throughout the United States, and deliveries like this one help further our commitment to supporting the business
aviation industry in growing the use of SAF.”

Additionally, an environmental initiative being enjoyed by all is the Gordon River Greenway, a pristine 140-acre ecological corridor completed in 2018 that runs across a portion of airport property. Naples Airport Authority built perimeter sidewalks to connect the Greenway while removing substantial amounts of invasive, exotic vegetation and rebuilding a pond near North Road.

Naples Airport shows that a facility serving private aviation and public services can also be a strong steward for the environment and community. With thoughtful incentives, clear messaging and bold action, it advances practical, scalable sustainability, setting a new standard for general aviation.

Want to learn more about the Naples Airport?

Chris Rozansky. Ex. Dir.
Naples Airport Authority

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