Collier County Weighs Study on Potential Closure of Everglades City Airport

Collier County commissioners are set to decide on March 11 whether to move forward with a feasibility study that could ultimately result in the closure of Everglades Airpark. The study would evaluate whether shutting down the airport—one of three in the county—would be financially and logistically beneficial.

County officials cite ongoing financial losses, limited expansion potential, and aging infrastructure as key concerns. Additionally, lingering damage from Hurricane Ian remains unaddressed, with repairs estimated at $1.2 million, according to a recent article by Mahmoud Bennett of FOX 4.

Despite these challenges, some aviation experts and residents argue that closing the airport would be a mistake. Former airline captain Kevin J. Dohm believes all three county airports—Marco Island Executive, Immokalee, and Everglades City—should be considered together, rather than independently.

“If one airport struggles financially in a given year, the others can help offset the losses,†Dohm explained. He also emphasized the airport’s importance given the region’s frequent storms and hurricanes.

Emergency access is another concern. Residents worry that without Everglades Airpark, medical evacuations could take longer, potentially putting lives at risk.

“It’s the fastest way to get injured individuals to a hospital,†said part-time resident Claude Verschueren.

While county data shows the airport averaged fewer than 10 operations per day in 2023, officials believe the region’s other two airports could accommodate that traffic. However, Dohm warns that closing the airpark could eliminate a critical emergency landing option for pilots flying between the Florida Keys and the mainland.

If approved, the study would be the first step in determining the airport’s future, possibly paving the way for its permanent closure.

This article originally appeared on FOX 4