IMMOKALEE — The Immokalee Regional Airport (IMM), situated on 1,333 acres of land located approximately 35 miles northeast of Naples and 110 miles northwest of the Port of Miami, recently welcomed Global Flight Training Solutions (GFTS). The company has established a flying school for both local and international student pilots. IMM has two asphalt runways fitted with runway lights and available 24/7. Runway 09/27 is 5,000 feet long by 100 feet wide and Runway 18/36 is 4,550 feet long and 150 feet wide.

The school has two Cessna 172S Models with more in the pipeline and is currently offering attractive hour-building packages for international students looking to quickly complete their qualifications in Florida. According to GFTS leadership, it’s expected that the COVID-19 pandemic will leave huge backlogs in needed flying time for some students at bigger flying schools so having a smaller school in Immokalee will be an opportunity for students to branch out and continue their hour-building at GFTS. Tailored packages can include accommodations, if needed, and the school also assists with acquiring training visas and license validations.

In addition, GFTS plans to offer Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial integrated courses for certification of pilots, flight instructors and ground instructors and then later offer European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) accreditation in 2021. This will give students the ability to achieve their FAA tickets and then convert them to EASA licenses, if required, on their return to Europe.

For further information on the services offered by Global Flight Training Solutions, visit their website at www.globalfligttrainingsolutons.com as well as on Instagram and Twitter.

“With the addition of Global Flight Training Solutions at Immokalee Regional Airport, a new era of service is expected at IMM, one with a global reach that will benefit the airport and surrounding community, particularly in these challenging economic times,” said Airport Authority Executive Manager Justin Lobb.

As Florida recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Collier County Airport Authority (CCAA) continues to take steps to ensure the highest possible level of safety for our customers, business partners and employees. For those visiting all CCAA terminal buildings; Marco Island Executive Airport (MKY); IMM; and Everglades Airpark (X01), we ask that you maintain social distancing and follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and recommendations aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19. CCAA administrative offices will allow guests by appointment only, though we continue to encourage customers to conduct as much business as possible over the phone or via email.

For more information, contact Collier County Airports Manager Justin Lobb at 239-642-7878.