JetBlue suspends idea to bring service to Naples

By Julie Salomone

CREATED Oct. 12, 2012

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NAPLES, Fla.- The idea to bring a major airline carrier to Naples is being grounded. Not everyone wanted to see JetBlue fly into the Naples airport. Opponents argued adding a major airliner would add pollution and noise to Naples. 
 
"I cant believe JetBlue would be so stupid and so foolish to think they're going to get traffic from coming to Naples," said Alan Parker, an opponent of JetBlue.
 
A group called "Naples Airport Watch" sent an email to JetBlue's President and told them a commercial airliner is not wanted in Naples. The group then encouraged others to send it too. Ted Soliday, the Executive Director of the Naples Airport Authority is disappointed to learn some people chased JetBlue away. 
 
"We never even got to finish the fact finding process because JetBlue is just not use to people sending the "we don't want you here" letters," said Soliday.
 
JetBlue and the Naples Airport had been discussing for months on how to bring non-stop low fare service from several New York airports to Naples, but the idea hit turbulence along the way. 
 
"JetBlue indefinitely suspended its evaluation of possible service to Naples Municipal Airport," said Soliday. 
 
So will we ever see a commercial airline back at the airport? That is still up in the air. The airport has not had a commercial carrier since around 2008 and it would need a permit to allow jets which exceed the 75,000 pound weight limit. 
 
For now, Soliday is disappointed the possibility of JetBlue coming to Naples is put on "standby." 
 
"Our board is going to have to discuss it on Thursday when we meet and see now where we go with that," said Soliday.
 
Fox 4 reached out to JetBlue. The airliner sent us the following statement: "We're suspending the process until a consensus is reached on airline service to the airport. A positive reception from the community is a key factor in our evaluation of new cities."