Page Field, International Airport earn top Florida honors

The Florida Department of Transportation recently honored the Lee County Port Authority with two prestigious awards. Southwest Florida International Airport was awarded the 2008 Outstanding Commercial Service Airport of the Year and Page Field General Aviation Airport was given the 2008 General Aviation Airport of the Year. The airports were presented these top awards at the Florida Airports Council Annual Conference in Palm Beach.

"I was so proud to have both of our airports recognized by the Florida Department of Transportation in front of all of our industry peers," said Robert M. Ball, executive director of the Lee County Port Authority. "Our employees work hard each and everyday to provide a safe, secure, comfortable and technologicallyadvanced environment for air transportation in Southwest Florida. You cannot win this type of award without a total team effort and I applaud everyone, including our airline and business partners, for making RSW and FMY outstanding examples of excellence in airport operations and service."

The FDOT Aviation Office awards the Commercial Airport of the Year annually to one out of 20 commercial service airports and the General Aviation Airport of the Year to one of 81 public-use general aviation airports in the state of Florida. To be considered the airport must demonstrate exceptional safety and security standards and have superior achievement in all aspects of management and customer service. Airports must successfully manage financial resources, have adequate and current master plans and knowledge of and compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.

Southwest Florida International Airport is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. Page Field General Aviation Airport accommodated more than 77,000 aircraft operations during 2007. For more