CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cleveland City Council met Wednesday as the future of Burke Lakefront Airport remains unsettled. Mayor Justin Bibb has called for the airport to close by 2029, the same year the Browns are set to leave Cleveland, as part of a reimagination for the city’s lakefront. The city has not formally asked the Federal Aviation Administration to close it.
On Wednesday, Cleveland City Council’s Transportation and Mobility Committee held a hearing involving stakeholders of Burke Lakefront Airport. The stakeholders all support keeping the lakeside airport open. The committee chose not to have the city at the meeting.
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The city’s waterfront plans would replace the runway with parks, a golf course and sports fields and opportunities for businesses and housing. Airport supporters say Burke serves businesses and medical flights and contributes to the region’s economy.
This is one of two concepts of what could be done with Burke Lakefront Airport if closed.(Source: NCWDC)
Today the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation release the first two concepts of what could be done with a closed Burke Lakefront Airport.(Source: NCWDC)
A former city employee who worked in Burke’s airport operations said airlines flying out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport oppose closing Burke, citing concerns about increased congestion and the need to build other airport infrastructure.
Supporters cite airport’s economic role
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The Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership, represented by Kyle Lewis, says Burke is an economic driver and a “gateway to the community.” The group cited 2024 Ohio Department of Transportation data showing the airport employs 664 people, has a total payroll of $58.5 million and generates a $194.8 million economic impact.
LAPP says Burke handles about 50,000 operations a year. It also disputes claims about the airport’s costs, saying Burke funds itself and has not accepted grants since 2019.
LAPP says the airport generates $1.3 million and questions describing the difference as a taxpayer deficit. The group also says the city does not subsidize Burke through general fund transfers.
LAPP describes Burke as a reliever airport for CLE. The group has also warned that the lack of a long-term lease threatens Burke’s future.
Aitheras says flights support medical care
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Aitheras Aviation, which is headquartered at Burke and flies organs for transplant, says moving its flights elsewhere could affect patients.
“If we were to go to Lorain County, Cuyahoga County, Akron-Canton, there’s been suggestions by the administration, even Cleveland Hopkins, that will compromise and make difference in life and death,” George Katsikas, owner of Aitheras, said at the hearing on Wednesday.
The company says it would not be plausible to move its organ donor flights to another airport. It is proposing an Air Medical Campus on the lakefront and describes its operations as critical infrastructure.
Council members did not vote Wednesday, and no legislation on Burke’s future was before them.
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