Watchdog group Friends of the Naples Municipal Airport is challenging the Naples City Council's June 18 resolution to take control of development at the general aviation airport. Read here.
The verdict is in: Relocating Naples Airport is not financially feasible without significant monetary commitments from the City of Naples, Collier County or other sources. Therefore, according to Naples Airport Authority commissioners, the door to relocating the airport is now closed.
Read more on GulfshoreBusiness.com.
Naples City Council has voted to give itself more oversight of future development at the Naples Airport — a move critics say could threaten the airport’s independence and future operations.
The resolution, which passed unanimously at the June 18 City Council meeting, requires the Naples Airport Authority to submit updated development plans to the city each year. It also mandates council's approval for major upgrades, new construction, runway extensions, and other significant changes.
Watch the full story here: City council votes for more power over development of Naples Airport
With the promise of legal action by a local government watchdog group, Naples City Council moved forward with a resolution to take more control of the Naples Airport.
City Council voted unanimously Wednesday, June 18, to approve a resolution saying it will now review every permit for anything planned at the airport and laid out details of what the council expects to be presented by the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) in a utilization plan the council reviews.
Read more at: Airing conflicts: Naples Airport customers clash with city council
June 16, 2025
Naples City Council
Naples City Hall
735 8th Street South
Naples, FL 34102
Dear Mayor and Members of the Naples City Council,
We are writing on behalf of Responsible Government Naples to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing actions and comments made by the City Council concerning Naples Airport operations and the Naples Airport Authority (NAA).
Despite clear and consistent public support for the continued safe and efficient operation of Naples Airport, the City Council has repeatedly pursued strategies during public meetings aimed at restricting both the frequency and profile of airport operations. Such efforts seem to overlook the airport’s vital role in the regional economy, public safety, and our community’s connectivity.
Most alarming is the Council's recent attempt to take unauthorized action against the Executive Director of the Naples Airport Authority. This overreach, narrowly averted by timely legal counsel, could have set a dangerous precedent, creating legal and governance issues with far-reaching consequences for both the City of Naples and the Naples Airport Authority. This attempted action reflects an escalating and inappropriate effort by certain Council members to exert control over an independent and well-functioning authority.
The Naples Airport Authority is an independent entity created by the Florida Legislature. Its operations are governed by its own Enabling Act and applicable state law. Federal aviation law, enforced by the FAA, preempts local government attempts to regulate aircraft operations, including noise and flight paths. The City of Naples may not interfere with or impose overreaching restrictions on the lawful operations of the Authority or with aviation activity governed by federal or state law.
The persistent scrutiny and pressure placed on the Airport Authority’s leadership and staff are not only unwarranted but also risk undermining the airport's daily operations. These actions can, have, and will continue to negatively impact employee morale, disrupt management, and, ultimately, compromise the safety of the public and aviation personnel.
Furthermore, we are troubled by the Council’s unwillingness to acknowledge or respect the overwhelming public support for the airport. In fact, during a recent airport sentiment survey, it was demonstrated that over 80% of the Naples community supports the airport and the asset it represents for the community. Instead, the Council continues to focus disproportionate attention on a small group of vocal activists whose objectives and affiliations remain unclear. This disconnect raises serious questions about representation and governance. The citizens of Naples deserve to understand why the Council persists in targeting a public institution that enjoys broad community backing and delivers proven value to our city’s residents and its economy.
We respectfully urge the City Council to reconsider its approach, engage transparently with the wider public, and prioritize constructive collaboration with the Naples Airport Authority. Responsible leadership entails acknowledging public sentiment and operating within the bounds of legal authority for the betterment of our community.
We look forward to meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss these concerns, as well as potential remedies that we believe will accomplish your desire for oversight and our community’s need for a safe, successful airport.
Sincerely,
Responsible Government Naples
"We believe that the airport needs to be run from the independent body which is elected for this purpose and they have fiduciary duty," said Branimir Brankov, president of Responsible Government Naples.
Brankov explained that their newly formed coalition, RGN, focuses on a broad range of issues with a central focus on government accountability.
RGN President Branimir Brankov said the group wants to work with the city — not against it — to preserve jobs, support the local economy, and also address resident concerns.
Sean Nash, a pilot and business aviation consultant, said there are already ideas on the table, including improving flight paths and continuing to comply with the airport’s recommended quiet hours, which he says already has over 90% compliance.
"Aircraft are getting more efficient and quieter every day with technological advancements," Nash said. "So, there's solutions to be had that we want to collaborate with, and as aviation professionals, we can lend our expertise in that way."
So far, the Responsible Government Naples petition has gained nearly 200 signatures. The group's goal is to present it to the city council and help steer the conversation toward positive solutions for the airport and residents.
A coalition of business and community leaders has launched Responsible Government Naples, a nonprofit aimed at promoting accountability, transparency and responsible use of public resources in city government. The group will focus on civic education, public engagement and watchdog efforts to encourage fair, community-driven decision-making.
The organization formed amid concerns about recent actions by some elected officials, including efforts to allocate taxpayer dollars toward studies and plans to close, relocate or limit Naples Airport despite strong public support for keeping it in place.
Responsible Government Naples plans to spotlight issues affecting residents and advocate for decisions that reflect the broader community’s interests.
A trio of candidates for Naples mayor and city council are working together to try to win the seats in order to save the Naples Airport and property rights, they say.
On Feb. 28, mayoral candidate Gary Price and city council candidates Berne Barton and Tony Perez-Benitoa spent time with airport tenants, friends and flying enthusiasts over food and drink. They then followed their hosts at Elite Jets, Paradise Coast Property Team and Naples Jet Center in speaking about the importance of the local airport to the community.
Read the full story here: Naples candidates discuss future of local airport, support current location
Whether the Naples City Council can take on more control of the Naples airport is a question city officials are trying to answer. Council members believe if they have more control, they can reduce volume at the public airport and, therefore, noise.
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann wants Naples Airport Authority to stop taking grants and wants the City Council to take over running the airport. The rest of the council members expressed similar and additional wants for the airport at its regular meeting Wednesday, including getting answers from the city's outside attorney expert on airports and placing someone on the airport authority board of directors with a goal toward residents' interests and aligning the authority and the City Council in ideals and actions.
Read the full story here: Naples City Council wants more control of airport
