American Airlines wants to fly out of Naples.
The world’s largest airline by passengers sent a proposal to the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) to fly regional jets between Naples and Charlotte, North Carolina, starting in December. This was a year after American Airlines representatives contacted the NAA “out of the blue.”
While the jets American Airlines would fly are consistent with the existing fleet mix operating at the airport and are within the airport’s established weight limit, a lot would have to happen for the airline to establish service in Naples, said NAA Executive Director Chris Rozansky.
Rozansky will brief the Naples Airport Authority Board of Commissioners at its next regular meeting on Thursday, May 21.
American Airlines plans to start service Dec. 6
America Airlines “intends to launch new service to APF (Naples Airport) later this year. The first day of service is planned to be December 2nd, 2026,” wrote Jason Reisinger, American Airlines managing director of Global Network Planning, in a letter to Rozansky dated May 13.
The company plans to start with three departure and three arrival flights a day at the North Road Terminal, and promised to keep those within the voluntary curfew hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The FAA doesn’t allow mandatory curfews.
“American looks forward to bringing Naples community back into the American Airlines global network for the first time in over two decades,” Reisinger wrote. “We believe the connectivity that these flights provide will bring substantial economic benefit to the local community and make travel more convenient for both local Naples residents and inbound visitors.”
It’s not a done deal.
Naples Airport Authority cannot by Federal Aviation Administration rules prohibit anyone from flying into or out of the airport if the planes are allowed there. A general aviation (GA) airport such as the Naples Airport generally cannot arbitrarily deny a commercial airline from starting service if the airport accepts federal grant funding, which Naples does.
However, airports can legally restrict commercial service if the aircraft exceeds the facility’s physical limits, lacks necessary safety certifications, or fails to meet reasonable, non-discriminatory local operating standards.
What kind of airplanes will American Airlines use?
“AA, through their regional subsidiary (PSA Airlines), proposes to utilize 65-seat Bombardier CRJ‑700 regional jets with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 75,000 pounds. These aircraft are consistent with the existing fleet mix operating at APF and are within the airport’s established weight limit,” Rozansky wrote in his presentation to the board found in its packet for the May 21 meeting.
“The CRJ‑700 meets Stage 4 noise standards, which would make it among the quieter aircraft currently operating at the airport,” Rozansky wrote.
In November 2024, public charter company JSX began offering scheduled service out of Naples with Stage 4 jets.
Naples last had regularly scheduled commercial airline service in 2017. When JSX started its service, Rozansky said regular commercial airline service was unlikely to ever return to Naples “since most airlines have increased the size of their fleets hence outgrowing the Naples Airport’s capabilities,” he said. “In fact, several well-known airlines have inquired through my 8+ years here but quickly learned that our weight limit would preclude their aircraft from safely using APF (Naples Airport).”
What’s next for American Airlines service at Naples Airport?
Staff started preliminary due diligence “related to operational and security requirements, facility improvements, staffing and equipment needs,” Rozansky wrote. “Staff has also requested a legal opinion regarding the Authority’s obligations to consider the Letter of Intent.”Rozansky cannot make a decision about American Airlines service alone. He will need the board of commissioner’s direction and approval.
“City of Naples Airport Authority Resolution 2026‑1, which delegates certain administrative and operational authorities to the Executive Director, provides in Section II(B) that: ‘The Executive Director shall not without the advice and consent of the Board at a regular or special meeting … Enter into any agreement with an air carrier to provide regularly scheduled passenger air service to the Naples Municipal Airport.’ “
The North Road Terminal, which houses JSX, a pilot’s lounge, Netjets private jet service and rental car companies, is undergoing major renovations.
American Airlines “has indicated a willingness to financially support required facility modifications through an annual lease and rental arrangement,” and has not requested any financial incentives, Rozansky wrote to the board.
American Airlines: Did you know?
Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines Group is the third largest U.S. Airline by revenue, behind No. 1 Delta Airlines and No. 2 United Airlines. Its PSA Airlines an all-jet fleet consisting of exclusively MHI RJ regional jet aircraft, according to the PSA website. More than 5,000 employees operate over 700 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations on behalf of American Airlines.
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J. Kyle Foster is a senior growth & development reporter for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach her by emailing jfoster1@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: American Airlines plans to start flights between Naples, Charlotte
Reporting by J. Kyle Foster, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
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