Naples Airport Authority welcomed a pair of college interns for a unique, hands-on experience exploring the aviation industry.

The airport's competitive internship program, which attracts applicants from across Florida and beyond, offers real-world opportunities to explore career paths available at general aviation airports. Interns have opportunities to rotate through multiple departments, including airport operations, fixed base operator services, finance and administration, human resources, training and talent development, and executive management.

This year's interns include Charlotte Llewellyn, of Orlando, and Ava Farthing, of Lakeland.

Llewellyn is a rising senior at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management. Llewellyn also holds a private pilot license and plans to attain an instrument rating, a special certification that allows pilots to fly in many weather conditions.

Farthing is a senior at Auburn University in Alabama, where she expects to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation management in December. She also earned an Associate of Science degree in aerospace administration from Polk State College in Winter Haven. Farthing has been working as a flight dispatcher in the Delta Air Lines Aviation Education Building in Auburn, Alabama.

About Naples Airport

Naples Airport is ideally located within minutes of downtown Naples, the Gulf of America and I-75, connecting people to the Paradise Coast through an exceptional airport experience. The airport serviced 119,075 annual operations and more than 200,000 passengers last year, while being an engaged, responsive partner to the community. Home to corporate aviation, air charter, car rental, flight schools and critical public services such as fire/rescue, air ambulance services, mosquito control and the Collier County Sheriff's Aviation Unit, the airport also prides itself on being the hub of emergency staging during natural disasters, like hurricanes.

All funds used for the airport's operation, maintenance and improvements are generated from activities at the airport or federal and state grants from aviation-related user fees. The airport receives no local tax dollars. The Florida Department of Transportation values the airport's annual economic impact on the community at more than $781 million.

For more information or to subscribe to email updates from the airport, visit http://www.FlyNaples.com.