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Authority approves Kimley Horn study on 'future of aviation'; commissioners ask to prioritize urgent deliverables
Summary
Kimley Horn will produce a broad white paper covering regional aviation context, market trends, advanced air mobility, sustainable fuels, noise and climate resilience. Commissioners approved the scope but asked staff to prioritize urgent items—lease guidance, noise and electrification—so some findings can be delivered earlier than the full report.
The board voted to approve a Kimley Horn white paper intended as a strategic, system‑level study of Southwest Florida aviation and the airport’s role. The scope includes a regional aviation system context, market and demand shifts, governance and intergovernmental possibilities, infrastructure and airspace modernization, advanced air mobility use cases, sustainable fuels and electrification, community noise and resilience.
Kimley Horn representatives said the work draws on statewide system‑planning experience and will include recommendations and, if the Authority desires, guidance on implementation. Several commissioners urged that staff and the consultant prioritize urgent items — notably guidance on lease renegotiations and issues that will be relevant to the November board turnover — and provide interim deliverables earlier than the final deliverable in September if possible. Board members agreed staff could pare or accelerate portions of the scope to deliver those higher‑priority products sooner.
The board approved the hourly not‑to‑exceed proposal and directed staff to provide periodic progress reports and to seek opportunities to coordinate or avoid duplication with work already underway on lease issues.
