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It seems like you can fly anywhere in Florida, but today we were proven wrong.
Although Florida’s Gulf Coast has five operating commercial airports, the new Southern saying apparently is “the sixth time’s the charm.”
With the potential to reopen for public use for the first time in a quarter century, car rentals from Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers and the like may no longer be necessary. You can fly straight there and Uber to your stay in this popular beach town known for its expansive white-sand beaches, luxury shopping and yes, clogged pickleball courts of busy retirees.
Jelly For a winter launch, the ideal time to enjoy Florida’s ever-present sun, travelers might want to make history by landing in Naples (APF) for a sunny getaway among some of the state’s most sought-after beaches.
American Airlines plans new life for Naples
There’s no denying that Naples is a popular holiday destination and retreat for retirees. The problem is that it’s a long Uber from the nearest airport in Fort Myers, which is already small, making it harder for Naples to get further north, all the way to Tampa.
Southwest Florida could soon have six commercially operated airports:
- Tampa (TPA)
- Saint Petersburg (PIE)
- Punta Gorda (PGD)
- Sarasota (SRQ)
- Fort Myers (RSW)
- Naples (APF)
You can thank American Airlines for its plans to revive Naples’ once commercial airport, which fell prey to private aviation in the early 2000s.
AA seems to have a knack for finding new airports, which makes me uneasy about the legality of such flights in Carlsbad, California, since it also anchors the little-used McClellan-Palomar Airport.
But today we’ll focus on the Gulf Coast, specifically Naples.
If America gets its way, December 2, 2026 It will be the biggest day for tourism in Naples in quite some time.
Last served by American in 2001, Delta in 2007, and a brief, little-known stint by Elite Airways in between before joining Spirit in the aviation graveyard – APF will return to the commercial aviation sector this winter.
The lucky winner would be one of America’s largest hubs, Charlotte (CLT), for the initial launch, making Naples even more connected than ever before.
This potential new route is considered a test run, but if it’s anything like the aforementioned Carlsbad, it’ll start with one and more will follow soon.
Why Naples is worth going further than the 5 other airports
Sure, Southwest Florida already has plenty of airport options, but that’s exactly what makes Naples so flexible.
This isn’t the kind of place you want to reach after a battle with a rental car counter, highway traffic, and the slow realization that your “fast drive” is eating up your beach time.
The best way to enjoy Naples is to land nearby, drop your bags and get straight to the good stuff: fiery Gulf Coast sunsets, white sand beaches, shop ’til you drop Old townand fresh seafood dinners on nights you won’t want to end.
But there’s one aspect that really seals the deal for you: safety.
Naples is the safest vacation destination in Florida
If you’re not familiar with our real-time safety index, it’s been a huge hit with thousands and thousands of votes from fellow travelers like you.
Being such a hotspot for a sun-drenched beach holiday, Naples has risen to the top ahead of Florida as the safest holiday destination, surpassing even more household names like Miami.
The last thing vacationers – and especially retirees experiencing their best golden years – want to do is keep their heads spinning.
Naples tops all Florida destinations with a current safety score of 90/100comparable to other paradises such as Honolulu and Cancun:
