The Collier County Board of Commissioners has voted unanimously to conduct a study and create an ad hoc committee on the future of Everglades City Airpark, which has been operating at a financial loss for decades.
The study aims to determine whether the airpark should remain open and can turn a profit for Collier County. The county will consult with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) about the requirements and obligations associated with deactivating the facility, according to discussions inside the Commission chambers Tuesday morning.
“Everglades City Airpark has been running an annual deficit since Collier County took ownership in 1968,” said an executive summary presented to local leaders from the commission. The airport’s designation as "Unclassified" prevents it from receiving guaranteed funding from the FAA and FDOT, creating additional monetary challenges.
The facility has faced significant damage from past hurricanes, including Ian and Irma (11 feet and 6 feet of storm surge, respectively), with repair costs estimated at $1.2 million, according to County staff. Damage to hangar doors and walls has left planes without adequate storage, and flooding has rendered the airport’s fuel payment system inoperable. Last year, the airpark lost approximately $150,000, while nearby Marco Island Executive Airport reported a $2 million profit. The airport also sees about 95% less traffic than both the Immokalee Regional Airport and Marco Island Executive Airport, according to Collier County Transportation Management.
“I know this type of airport can be turned around ... It’s just a matter of getting the local community support to put in new hangars. Over time, you end up with more people here," said retired pilot Jim Wood.
Wood is one of dozens of Floridians who have signed a local petition (found at the airpark itself) to prevent the 29-acre facility from being demolished.
“The more people that know about this place, the more people are going to take off and come, even if it’s just to enjoy the restaurants," he added.
In addition to local tourism impacts, flight instructors and schools nearby tell Gulf Coast News they often use the airstrip for specific training simulations.
“Everglades City has the second-shortest runway in Florida, which makes it ideal for teaching short landings ... The concrete is brand new, so they’ve already invested a lot into it," said Andres Gutierrez, a flight instructor at Career Flight Training & Aircraft Rental Inc., which operates out of the Marco Island airport.
To remain operational under the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), the airpark would need at least ten based aircraft. Currently, it falls short of that requirement, making it ineligible for a "Basic" classification and limiting funding opportunities.
While the study does not immediately impact the airpark’s status, the commission’s decision aligns with its priority-based budgeting approach, which seeks to allocate resources to more financially stable airports. The FAA has previously invested nearly $3 million in capital funding for Everglades City Airpark, with additional contributions from FDOT.
Local leaders have not said what plans could be for the property if a decision is made to renovate the property. Regardless of the result of the study, the Federal Aviation Administration would have to permit Collier County to discontinue operations.