Don Antonacchio runs for Naples Airport board seat 5
Retired real estate agent Don Antonacchio is running for Seat 5 on the Naples Airport Authority Board of Commissioners in the November 3, 2026 general election. The 72-year-old New York City native has lived in Naples for over 50 years and is among five candidates vying for the countywide seat in the special district’s first-ever public election.
Antonacchio Has Long Family Ties to Naples Airport
Antonacchio brings a personal connection to the airfield, tracing his involvement back 48 years to friendships with pilots flying for PBA, an old commuter airline based in Naples and Cape Cod. His wife previously worked as a flight attendant and later supervised flight attendants for the same airline, anchoring his long-term familiarity with the property. While not a pilot himself, his son earned his pilot’s license at the Naples Airport. In an email questionnaire for the Naples Daily News, Antonacchio described himself as a concerned citizen who listens and watches thousands of takeoffs and landings at the facility.
House Bill 4005 Creates Elected Board for Airfield
The upcoming vote marks a departure from past governance structures for the airfield. Since the Naples Airport Authority was created by the Florida legislature in 1969, board members had been appointed by the Naples City Council. That changed when Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 4005 on April 6, converting the board into an elected body and transforming the authority into an independent special district. Voters across both the City of Naples and Collier County will choose five commissioners on November 3, 2026, with requirements mandating that every member possess at least five years of experience in financial management, small business operations, or aerospace.
Three Commissioners Run Unopposed for Board Seats
The five-member board is divided geographically, with three seats designated for city residents and two seats representing Collier County outside city limits. Three commissioners are running unopposed for their respective seats: Michelle Arnold for Seat 2, Ralph Alberto for Seat 3, and former chairman Rick Ruppert for Seat 1. Meanwhile, Seat 4 features two candidates, and Seat 5 has attracted five contenders, including Antonacchio. When asked about his motivation for entering the race, Antonacchio stated that passing legislation transformed the board from an appointed volunteer panel into an elected body, prompting trusted friends to confirm his qualifications for keeping the airport safe and well managed.
Antonacchio Suggests Technology Will Reduce Aircraft Noise
Addressing ongoing community concerns regarding aircraft noise, Antonacchio noted that Federal Aviation Administration regulations require the airport to remain open 24/7, making the current 10:00 PM voluntary curfew an ongoing management challenge. He pointed to emerging technologies as a future remedy for sound abatement.
In the near future we will be seeing hybrid and all electric planes. The very loud jets are getting quieter all the time. AI technology will solve many noise problems in the future.
Regarding the relationship and ongoing litigation between the airport authority and the City of Naples as the landowner and planning permit approver, Antonacchio declined to comment on pending court battles, expressing confidence that compromise will ultimately prevail because continued litigation remains too costly.