Naples Airport approves operating agreement with American Airlines
The Naples Airport Authority Board approved an operating agreement with American Airlines, which will launch twice-daily nonstops between Naples and Charlotte starting in December.
“The approval of the operating agreement with American makes everything official,” said Chris Rozansky, executive director of the Naples Airport Authority. “Naples Airport welcomed its last commercial flight in 2017, and American’s decision to return will give residents of Naples and Collier County a convenient option for business and leisure travel.”
American, which last served Naples Airport in 2001, will initially offer two nonstops daily between Naples Airport (APF) and the airline’s hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina, starting Dec. 2. American subsidiary PSA Airlines will operate the route using 65-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 regional jets, which operate under Naples Airport’s maximum takeoff weight of 75,000 pounds.
Additionally, American has agreed to schedule all flight operations in compliance with Naples Airport’s voluntary curfew of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
American will use Naples Airport’s North Road Terminal, which opened in 1981 and is currently undergoing renovations. The first phase of construction began in 2024 and included extensive exterior work, sitework and landscaping. Interior work began earlier this year and will be completed this fall.
The newly renovated terminal will feature a 75-seat passenger waiting area with restrooms, an airline service counter and airline offices, a TSA security screening area and TSA offices, and baggage claim. The terminal offers one gate for commercial airlines and includes rental car counters and airport operations offices, along with designated space for NetJets, a private jet charter and aircraft management company.
Passengers flying from Naples to Charlotte will have one-stop access to nearly 180 destinations worldwide. American began selling tickets for the new route between Naples and Charlotte in June.
About Naples Airport
The Naples Airport is a vital community asset that provides convenient access to the City of Naples and Collier County for residents and visitors alike. The airport is also home to critical public services, including the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Collier Mosquito Control District, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Fire Station 3, and Collier County EMS MedFlight. It also serves as a staging hub for recovery operations during emergencies. The airport’s tenants include private and corporate aviation, air charter, aircraft maintenance and repair services, car rental brands, and flight schools. Naples Airport Authority (NAA), an independent government agency that operates Naples Airport, receives no local tax dollars; it is primarily funded through fuel sales, hangar rentals, and other related services. The Florida Department of Transportation has estimated Naples Airport’s annual economic impact at $781 million. The NAA strives to balance the needs of the aviation community and residents’ quality of life through a variety of initiatives, including its Fly Safe Fly Quiet program. Visit FlyNaples.com for more information.
