The Federal Aviation Administration will not appeal a recent court ruling—which upheld Naples’ ban on stage 2 jets. The Naples Municipal airport banned the older, noisier jets five years ago because as the community built up around the airport, neighbors complained about noise during take off and landing.
The FAA had fought the ban until now… Gail Cureton is with the Naples Airport Authority.

“Needless to say we’re very pleased that this battle is over. It’s been a years long battle and an expensive one but it’s one that we waged both in the interest of this airport and the community so we’re happy.”

The FAA will turn over the three million dollars in grants its been withholding because it deemed the ban discriminatory. Cureton says the money will pay for two projects right away.

“We are redoing the runway lighting here at the airport. Our lighting is several decades old and it’s in need of repair and of course we live in the lightening capitol of the world so that doesn’t make it any easier. Another project that was delayed for a period of time and we anticipate moving forward with that now is the replacement of the crash and fire rescue truck.”

Now airport officials across the country are reviewing the Naples decision upholding the stage 2 jet ban to determine if they can do it too. But Cureton says Naples is unique and believes not all airports will be meet the same criteria.