From the Archives: Naples Airport – From fighter pilots to paradise’s gateway

On July 4, 1953 — 71 years ago this coming week — the Naples Airport was dedicated as the Naples America Airport, having been returned to the city and county in 1947.

The airport started out in 1943 as the Naples Army Airfield and provided flight training for fighter pilots during World War II.

In 1969, at the behest of the Naples City Council, the Florida State Legislature created the Naples Airport Authority as an independent governmental unit charged with the operation of the airport.

Today, the Naples Airport Authority estimates the facility has a $781 million annual economic impact; recording 22 takeoffs and landings in 2022. It is home to 360 aircraft; covering 732 acres.

The existing airport covers one square mile in East Naples just west of Airport-Pulling Road. Residential homes run all along North Road beside the airport and along Davis Boulevard, on the other side of Airport-Pulling Road.

In May of this year, the Naples Airport Authority discussed the future of the facility, specifically were the facility may move to in the coming years – identifying four potential sites.

In addition to negotiating land purchases and mitigating any environmental issues, the Naples Airport Authority would need to make the case to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that there is a need to move the existing airport, which site is best and why.

Many steps and money would be involved with the earliest an airport would open being 2040.

And:From the Archives – These women made one mother of a difference

Also:From the Archives: Father’s Day through the years – Love, honor and mourn