Naples Airport emerges as Collier’s base for sustainability, innovation
Naples Airport has expanded its partnerships with public service agencies and private companies to address sustainability, resilience and environmental protection through aviation.
One of the airport’s longtime tenants, Collier Mosquito Control District, is now using drone-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology. Rather than treating entire habitats where mosquitoes could be breeding, drones can map subtle differences in elevation and identify low-lying areas where floodwater mosquitoes are most likely to develop. In 2026, the technology helped refine four treatment areas, reducing the acreage requiring treatment by nearly 63%. With repeat applications factored in, Collier Mosquito Control estimates the drone technology could avoid the use of more than 6,600 pounds of mosquito control material annually and save approximately $101,000 in product costs while being more environmentally responsible.
"LiDAR allows us to turn mosquito control into a much more surgical operation," said Atom Rosales, director of technical development for Collier Mosquito Control. "Rather than treating 100 acres because mosquitoes may be present, we can pinpoint the small areas where they are actually breeding and target those locations directly. The result is a more efficient and environmentally responsible mosquito control program."
Naples Airport also has become a base supporting Florida panther research. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission uses aircraft from tenant Rexair to collect monitoring data on Florida panthers. Flights typically take place two or three times a week and involve slow, low-altitude flying that allows researchers to use directional radio telemetry to locate, identify and record locations of radio-instrumented panthers. Researchers also are collecting other natural resource information from the air.
"People often think of aviation in terms of transportation, but it plays a much bigger role in Florida – it’s also a vital tool for wildlife conservation,” said Keith West, owner of Rexair. “For more than 10 years, our experienced pilots have flown tracking missions for biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, helping them monitor and protect Florida’s panthers. We’re proud that Rexair, based right here at Naples Airport, and the aviation industry as a whole, can play a role in preserving one of Florida’s most iconic and endangered species."
On the ground, Naples Airport became the first airport on the East Coast to publicly offer a regular supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, a cleaner fuel that represented nearly 23% of Jet A fuel sales in 2025-26. Additionally, the Naples Airport Authority has invested in a 270-panel rooftop solar project to enhance operational resiliency, a Tiger Dam flood barrier system designed to protect essential facilities, a fleet electrification program to transition ground vehicles and equipment to electric alternatives, and an Airfield Lighting Rehabilitation and Electrical Vault Replacement Project to protect lighting and electrical systems against storm surge.
A partnership with EG Solutions enhanced a stormwater management program designed to improve water quality, reduce wildlife hazards and protect surrounding waterways. The airport also supports the 140-acre Gordon River Greenway, an ecological corridor that helps preserve natural habitat while providing recreational connections for the community.
To learn more about Naples Airport’s sustainability initiatives, please visit FlyNaples.com.
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. Visit FlyNaples.com for more information.