As airports around the country contend with rising tensions from neighboring communities, Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF) stands out for all the right reasons. According to a recent independent survey conducted across Naples and the surrounding Collier County, the community's sentiment is resoundingly positive - and Executive Vice President of Elite Jets, Stephen J. Myers says it's a clear sign the airport is in the right place.
"The numbers speak for themselves," said Myers. "More than 80% of Naples residents recognize the airport’s importance to our community. That kind of support is not just encouraging — it’s a mandate for us to continue being good stewards of this vital asset."
The 37-question survey, conducted by a third-party research firm, reached nearly 1,500 randomly selected residents through phone and text outreach. It revealed that 82.9% of Naples residents and nearly 80% of Collier County residents consider KAPF an important part of the community fabric. When it came to the topic of relocating the airport — a discussion point in recent years — the majority sentiment was firm: it should stay right where it is. A solid 63% of Naples respondents and 61% from the broader county favored maintaining the airport’s current location.
“This reinforces what we’ve known anecdotally for some time — that Naples residents understand and value the airport not only for its convenience but for its broader role in economic development and emergency services,” Myers said.
Indeed, the airport’s economic footprint is substantial. With a $781 million annual impact on the local economy, KAPF supports jobs, commerce, and connectivity without drawing from local tax dollars - a fact that many residents were not previously aware of.
“As people learned that the airport is entirely self-funded and that it plays by federal rules when it comes to flight paths, their support only deepened,” Myers noted. “Once informed, approval ratings jumped to nearly 83% in the city and over 90% in the county. That’s a testament to the transparency and education we’ve committed ourselves to.”
Looking forward, Myers emphasized the importance of aligning future planning with community values.
“This survey is more than just a snapshot in time - it’s a guiding document. It tells us what residents want and expect. We’re listening, and we’re grateful for their continued trust.” says Myers.
As Naples grows and evolves, its municipal airport remains firmly grounded in community support - a rare and welcome position in today’s aviation landscape.
Original press release: https://www.elitejets.com/naples-municipal-airport-receives-strong-endorsement-from-community-in-recent-survey/
