Congratulations to Ralph Alberto and Michelle Arnold on their appointments to the Naples Airport Authority Board (NAA).   These two City residents had strong support from the majority on Council. 

The Airport is located on approximately one square mile of City owned land, 8% of the City's total land mass. It is important to our local governance that City residents continue to be seated on the NAA, appointed by our City Council.

The applicant pool included several well qualified citizens; pilots, those with aviation executive experience, those experienced with the City, and one who had experience serving on NAA in the past. Several good points were brought forward in the interview series:

• The Airport has invested $2 Million in the recent 150 Study to identify solutions in reducing jet noise.  The results of the Study should now be implemented.

• The Airport should not be relocated or closed. 

• The Airport presents a noise problem which should be addressed.

• The Airport Mission Statement should again contain language to include the intent to be a good neighbor to the community.

• There are remedies for noise and safety mitigation that can be done now without FAA approval.

• Creating a hub for certain fractional airlines is not in our community's best interest.

• The citizens of the City of Naples want a community airport not a mega commercial airport.

• The Airport is an asset in our community.

As a neighborhood with many of our members under a flight path of growing jet operations, Old Naples understands the importance of local control and appreciates the willingness of our City residents to serve on the NAA, assuming the fiduciary responsibility to manage this asset, and to ensure it serves Airport patrons as well as considers the well-being of the surrounding community.