While some airports are facing pressure and discord from their local communities, Florida’s Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF) isn’t among them, according to the results of a recent survey. Conducted on behalf of the airport authority by an independent research and polling firm, the 37-question survey was provided via phone and text to nearly 1,500 randomly sampled residents of the city of Naples and its surrounding Collier County.

According to the results, an overwhelming 82.9% of Naples residents viewed KAPF as important to the community, while for the remainder of the county that sentiment was nearly 80%. While the relocation of the airport has been discussed, 63% of Naples residents and nearly 61% of the county said it’s just fine where it is.

Naples Airport Authority executive director Chris Rozansky noted that the survey revealed insufficient understanding regarding the airport’s funding and its lack of control over flight route planning among community residents. He stated that most were unaware that KAPF receives no local tax dollars, with its revenue generated entirely from airport operations, and that they also did not know that the FAA generates flight routes, not the airport.

However, when informed of the airport’s $781 million annual economic impact on the area, its favorable impressions rose from 60.6% to nearly 83% in Naples and from 58.4% to more than 90% in the remaining county.

“This data-driven survey of community sentiment provides us with valuable insights to better assist the governing board in planning for the future,” said Rozansky.