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Representatives from the Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership (LAPP) met with senior leaders from Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb's office on Tuesday to discuss the future of the Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL).
Officials have discussed since 2022 the possibility of shutting down the airport due to a decline in usage. Traffic volume at the airport hit its peak in 2000, with just over 100,000 takeoffs and landings, but dropped almost 60% in 2 decades. The LAPP was formed in Nov. 2025 by the Cleveland community in opposition to its closing. The group stated that $20 million in grants have been awarded to improve the airport and that the funding requires it to remain open until the late 2030s. Despite continued claims of lack of use, the airport generates $76.6 million in annual economic activity, according to data verified as part of the studies commissioned by the Cleveland City Council.
The representatives encouraged continued investment in the airport's improvement. They also asked that the mayor's staff request a study from the FAA to examine potential uses for the site and to allow for long-term leases. The Cleveland City Council announced the same day that there would be four hearings focused on the potential closure, which the LAPP expressed support for. The hearings will take place on Jan. 21, Feb. 4, April 1 and April 15, with each focusing on a different aspect of of the closure and redevelopment.
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"This doesn't have to be all-or-nothing," said AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager Kyle Lewis, who helped found the LAPP. "We're not saying the airport has to stay open with its current footprint. We believe there may be room to find some middle ground that allows for portions of the airport property to be redeveloped without closing the airport. By not accepting federal grant dollars for infrastructure improvements and not allowing for long-term leases for airport businesses, the city has contributed significantly to some of the problems that have been discussed. Airport operators told the mayor's staff they have millions to invest at the airport but will not do so unless they can reasonably expect a return on that investment."
Councilman Charles Slife told Fox 8 News that he is not for or against the closure. He said he was concerned about the cost and sustainability of improving the property if it remained open, but was also concerned about the negative impact on city services and taxpayers its closure would cause. Mayor Justin Bibb hopes to close the airport by 2029 and is going to make it a priority in his second term, according to cleveland.com. He plans to redevelop the 450 acres of lakefront land for a different use.