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Naples Airport

Makes Strides Towards Sustainability

Propelling towards a cleaner future

As part of its commitment to making aviation sustainable, the Naples
Airport has replaced its air-field vehicles with zero-emission options,
including aircraft tugs, service carts, and pickup trucks.

by Chris Rozansky, Executive Director, Naples Airport Authority

uring 2023, the Naples Airport the water leaves the airport in a nearly natural state. In recognition
Authority (NAA) undertook numerous of this project, the NAA was awarded the prestigious J. Bryan
Dprograms and initiatives aimed at Cooper Environmental Award for its efforts to improve water
increasing environmental responsibility and quality. Building on this success, the NAA has initiated a new
sustainability at the airport. As an industry Master Drainage Plan that will identify additional opportunities to
leader, we are passionate about being on the further protect our waters.
leading edge of aviation sustainability and Additionally, as part of our partnership with the Southwest
environmental responsibility. Florida Land Preservation Trust, the Naples Airport has placed
Understanding the importance of protecting the environment large tracts of its land into conservation for the Gordon River
and constantly seeking ways to reduce its environmental impact, Greenway. As the work of the Trust concludes, the NAA will
the Naples Airport began offering UL 94 unleaded fuel as an continue to preserve and maintain portions of the Gordon River
environmentally cleaner alternative to traditional avgas. The Naples Greenway on airport property. The maintenance of this property by
Airport is currently one of only three public airports in Florida and the NAA comes at no cost to City or County taxpayers.
the 35th in the nation to offer UL 94. In April 2023, the NAA Recently, the Naples Airport was again awarded the J. Bryan
Board of Commissioners approved an airport-funded subsidy to Cooper Environmental Award for its Comprehensive Wildlife
ensure that UL 94 is sold at or below the price of traditional avgas, Management Program. This program focuses on protecting
so that cost is never a factor when operators decide which fuel to Southwest Florida’s native wildlife while ensuring the safety of our
use in their piston aircraft. We're proud to be at the forefront of pilots and passengers.
making aviation more sustainable. As aviation continues to progress in new and exciting
Furthermore, the NAA understands the importance of directions, including preparation for the eventual introduction of
protecting the environment for future generations, and we are electric aircraft and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, the Naples Airport
committed to continually improving our sustainability practices. In aims to be an industry leader in environmentally sustainable and
the past year, we’ve replaced golf carts, aircraft tugs, ground power responsible technology and programs.
units, and other air-field vehicles with zero-emissions options. Want to learn more about the Naples Airport? For a tour of the
The latest additions to our electric-powered ground fleet are Ford airport, or to arrange for a speaker at your group’s next meeting,
Lightning trucks. call (239) 643-0733.
The NAA ponds along Airport Road accept runoff from the
industrial park to the east, which covers more than 400 acres. In
2015, we modified the larger pond to create a filtering process so

20 Life in Naples | March 2024