Naples Airport Wins 2025 Sustainability Award for Environmental Leadership

The Florida Airports Council honored Naples Airport with the 2025 Benjamin J. Siwinski Sustainability Award to recognize the airport’s ongoing commitment to the environment.

The statewide award recognizes an individual, airport or corporate business that has planned, designed, promoted and implemented initiatives that focus on environmental sustainability.

Naples Airport was commended for its overall commitment to protecting the environment, including two key initiatives:

• Transformative Fuel Initiative: To promote cleaner, efficient aviation practices, Naples Aviation was the first Fixed Based Operator (FBO) on the East Coast to publicly offer Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), a low-carbon fuel from non-petroleum sources, and Unleaded Aviation Gasoline (UL 94), which is a clean-burning alternative to Aviation Gasoline (AvGas). The airport also offered a $250 credit to tenants that obtained a Supplement Type Certificate to use Unleaded Aviation Gasoline. Additionally, Naples Airport replaced over 20% of Aviation Gasoline and Jet-A fuel sales with Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Unleaded Aviation Gasoline.
• Fleet Electrification: Naples Airport began transitioning its ground fleet from gas and diesel to electric vehicles. The initiative included the purchase of Lektro aircraft tugs and electric Ground Power Units (GPUs) for ramps, as well as electric golf carts and vehicles for maintenance and operations teams.

“Naples Airport is proud to lead by example in building a more sustainable future for aviation,” said Naples Airport Executive Director Chris Rozansky. “This recognition affirms our commitment to reducing environmental impact and protecting what makes Southwest Florida so special. We are so fortunate to partner with a SAF fuel supplier like Avfuel that shares our vision for sustainability and ensures that our airport can continuously supply fuel to our environmentally conscious tenants and users.”

Florida Airports Council is the official association representing publicly owned and publicly operated airports in Florida. Established in 1969, the Florida Airports Council unites the aviation industry to address challenges and advance the future of Florida’s airport system. Its members represent all 20 Florida commercial service airports, over 70 of publicly owned general aviation airports, a spaceport and seaplane base, along with more than 350 corporate, educational, affiliate, student chapter and student members.

“Naples Airport has implemented one of the most comprehensive and forward-looking sustainability programs in the state,” said Eric Caplan, chair of the Florida Airport Council’s environmental committee. “Their measurable outcomes, strategic planning, and commitment to cleaner aviation practices make them a model for other airports to follow.”

The award honors the legacy of Ben Siwinski, a nationally respected leader in airport sustainability who was instrumental in enhancing environmental resiliency in Florida and across the aviation industry. Ben passed away in 2022, leaving behind an enduring legacy of innovation, mentorship and a passion for environmental stewardship.

“This award celebrates not only the innovation demonstrated by Naples Airport, but also the legacy of Ben Siwinski – who championed meaningful, real-world sustainability solutions,” added Chuck Smith, environmental director at Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB), a civil engineering consulting and design firm. “Ben would be incredibly proud to see this level of impact in a Florida airport.”

In 2022, Florida Airports Council honored Naples Airport with the J. Bryan Cooper Environmental Award for its Comprehensive Wildlife Management Program, which included projects to improve water retention and reduce the risk of wildlife interactions. Naples Airport also collaborated with community partners to create the Gordon River Greenway, a pristine 140-acre ecological corridor that runs across airport property.