Naples Airport staff are studying the feasibility of moving the airport to another location after hundreds of complaints.

Last week, the Naples Airport Authority discussed four possible new locations for the airport.

But why are leaders contemplating a move? Here’s what we know.

Why would Naples Airport move?

1. Noise complaints.

   • This is the biggest reason airport officials are contemplating a move. The airport received 800 noise complaints last fiscal year from surrounding residents.

   • Residents complain of early and late flight noise from jets overhead.

2. Room to grow.

   • Naples has grown steadily over time, going from fewer than 1,000 residents in 1949 to over 20,000 inside city limits today. In Collier County, there’s more than 419,500 residents.

   • U.S. News named Naples in the top 10 fastest-growing places in the U.S.

   • The airport is expected to gain even more traffic as the city’s population grows.

3. The possibility of adding commercial flights.

Who is complaining about Naples Airport noise?

A lot of the noise complaints come from Old Naples, a neighborhood right next to the airport. An estimated 1,000 flights per year take off from Naples Airport and fly out to the Gulf of Mexico ― right over Old Naples.

Old Naples residents say the takeoff noise disrupts their conversations, sleep, and peace of mind.

Where is the Naples Airport?

Naples Airport can be found off Airport Pulling Road in Naples, Florida. Right by the airport, you’ll find a local DMV, Kia dealership, recreational park, and a couple car rental agencies.

Locals often walk through Baker Park to watch planes take off and land because the airport is so close by.

Where would the Naples Airport move to?

The Environmental Science Associates met with landowners and created a list of four potential sites for the airport. All four locations have landowners open to the idea of selling their property.

Site A: Property east of county landfill

Site B: Lipman Farms

Site C: Sunripe land south of Oil Well Road

Site D: Immokalee Regional Airport

How much would it cost to move the Naples Airport?

Using 2024 costs, a general aviation airport like the existing Naples Airport would cost between $790 million and $1.2 billion.

If the airport were to add commercial services, the cost is estimated to be between $1 billion and $1.6 billion.

These numbers include the cost of land acquisition, environmental mitigation, and airport facilities.

They don’t factor in the cost to keep the existing Naples Airport open in the meantime or the costs to close it. The estimated figures also don’t include costs to relocate or buy out contracts of existing customers at the airport.

When would the new Naples Airport open?

The airport is just in the initial planning phase, but ESA’s Doug DiCarlo has an estimate.

He said the earliest a new airport could open is 16 years away in 2040.

Is the Naples Airport actually moving?

Short answer: Not right now.

Airport staff is conducting an exploratory study to see if moving the airport is a feasible option to decrease noise.

The study involves gathering the cost and resources it would take to move, along with the impact of the move.

Once the study is complete and the airport gets public input, its leaders will decide if they want to move forward with relocation. Nothing is set in stone yet.

Contributing: J. Kyle Foster, Naples Daily News

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples Airport in Florida considers moving after noise complaints