Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) was certified for
operation in May 1983 and consistently has outpaced all projections for
its growth. The airport now serves more than 7 million passengers
annually. It ranks among the 50 busiest airports in the nation and well
above the national average for both historic and projected growth.
Location, Location, Location
The Southwest Florida region includes popular holiday destinations that
attract visitors from around the globe, helping to make it one of the
fastest growing areas in the nation. The airport is located on
Florida's Gulf coast and its air trade area, which includes Lee,
Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, is home to almost
900,000 year-round residents. Seventy-five miles of beaches, countless
miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico, a subtropical climate and a
steadily diversifying economy contributed to the region's 39 percent
population increase from 1990 to 2000. The city of Naples, which grew
by 65 percent, had the second highest growth rate in the nation during
the same period.
Lee County Port Authority
The Lee County Port Authority was established in 1987 to operate Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field General Aviation Airport. The airports are enterprise funds, totally supported by revenue generated from their operations. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used in airport operations or expansion.
The Port Authority is governed by a five-member Board of Port Commissioners (Lee County Commissioners). The commissioners are elected for four-year terms by voters throughout Lee county, each representsa specific geographic districts.
The Airports Special Management Committee serves as an advisory board to the Port Commissioners, reviewing policy, administrative and management matters for the two airports. Each commissioner appoints one committee member. The committee also includes two ex officio members who represent the interests of neighboring Collier and Charlotte counties. These citizens share their business experience, expertise in their particular fields, and knowledge of the Southwest Florida market for the benefit of the airports and the entire region.
The Airports Special Management Committee meets the last Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m., and the two boards meet jointly at 9:30 a.m. on the second Monday of every other month. The public is invited to attend the meetings, held at the Southwest Florida International Airport Training and Conference Center, 15924 Perimeter Road, off Chamberlin Parkway. Click here for the meeting schedule
