Airport

An early-morning start for a test of new procedures at Naples Airport was scheduled to avoid conflicts with regular air traffic.

A new survey of registered voters in the City of Naples and Collier County shows broad community support for Naples Airport — and a similarly strong desire to keep the historic airfield at its current location.The community survey, conducted for the Naples Airport Authority by independent research and polling firm American Pulse, found that 82.9% of City of Naples residents viewed the airport as being important to the community, and 15.7% total of both City and County residents consider it not important.With a recent exploratory study identifying four potential sites for a possible relocation, the scientific poll found that 63.1% of Naples residents and 60.8% of others in Collier County prefer the Naples Airport to remain at its current location.

Nearly $347 million, and almost four years.That's how much it could cost, and how long it could take, to expand the existing terminal at Southwest Florida International Airport.

One of Florida’s poorest counties is preparing for the new “Airglades” airport, a $300 million cargo hub that could transform its economy.Local leaders see the project as a generational opportunity, one that could bring more than 1,400 new, high-skilled jobs to their largely agricultural community at the edge of the Everglades. But to make good on its promise, the region’s educators will have to overcome some harsh realities.

To pilots, especially ones in mortal danger, air traffic controllers are voices at the end of a lifeline, saviors of the skies. On the ground, they are average people, exposed to the threat of emotional trauma and juggling high-risk problems in one of the most stressful jobs in America.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer and a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigator have been arrested in separate cases.The CPB and is facing charges that he stole cash from an international airline passenger during the course of his employment as a CBP officer at Naples Airport.A criminal complaint names William Joseph Timothy, 43, Naples, as the officer. If convicted, Timothy faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

Southwest Florida International Airport has joined with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which is designed to allow travelers to let others know they have a non-visible disability. The Sunflower symbol, printed on a lanyard, badge, hat, wrist bracelet, pin or other branded item, indicates a person may need more assistance.

This is the 11th consecutive year Base Operations at Page Field has been named a top fixed-base operator by AIN. Base Operations ranked first in the Fort Myers/Naples area, landed in the top 15 overall for FBOs in the Americas and was also one of the top ranked FBOs in the facilities category.

RSW is among the top 5 U.S. airports for passenger satisfaction, according to the Travel Lens website.

Flying in a three-man formation as the “Veterans Airlift Command Tribute Wing” and led by Walt Fricke, former Army combat helicopter pilot and Vietnam Veteran, AirBoss and Founder of the Veterans Airlift Command non-profit, with fellow pilots Mike Grossmann and Dan Blackwell, the trio helped re-dedicate newly-opened Runway 4-22 at Punta Gorda Airport.