JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A feud between Jacksonville City Councilman Nick Howland and members of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority has spilled into email exchanges obtained by News4JAX, with JAA board members accusing Howland of harassment and threats.
What the emails say
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The dispute traces back to a February email from a JAA board member about projects at Cecil Airport and whether they were “consistent with FAA regulations.” That email states Howland made a “not-so-veiled threat,” writing: “If you keep undermining my economic development efforts, there will be hell to pay.”
A second email, sent in May, came from another JAA board member and escalated the tension further.
“But Nick — you need to let more of JAA work continue without the overt intimidation and threats I’ve heard directly come out of your mouth,” the email states. “It’s pervasive, and I hear it as harassment. It’s disappointing — you’re better than that.”
Howland pushed back in his own email response: “I am extremely surprised by your accusation of bullying, intimidation, and threats. I’ve been nothing but a gentleman about this.”
Howland responds
Despite the sharp language in the emails, Howland and JAA members appeared professional at Wednesday’s board meeting, where Johnson was present. When asked about the exchange, Howland downplayed the dispute.
“That was an anomaly,” Howland said. “The conversation back and forth between a board member and I — I don’t know how it became public. No one should have known that conversation existed, but there are public records around it. Regardless, that shows we’re figuring out ways to grow Cecil.”
JAA CEO weighs in
JAA CEO Mark Vanloh told News4JAX that the focus on expanding Cecil Airport is not new, saying the authority has been working to grow Cecil into a larger operation for some time.
Vanloh also addressed other issues facing the airport, including a recent spike in fuel costs that is causing some airlines to reduce the number of flights they offer.
On another note, Vanloh said a new concourse expected to open in January 2027 will add at least six new American Airlines flights.