Burke Airport supporters hold open house; push back against redevelopment

The Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership (LAPP) shared its vision for the future of the Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) at an open house on Wednesday, while pushing back against the hypothetical redevelopment concepts that were released by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb the same day. Mayor Bibb requested in Oct. 205 that the federal government relieve the city of its obligation to keep BKL open. 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 open house was hosted by medical evacuation and transport company, Aitheras Aviation, and was planned in coordination with officials and organizations that would be impacted by the airport's closure. The LAPP claims Mayor Bibb is trying to circumvent federal law to close the airport. The redevelopment concepts were released by the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation and include two options. The plans feature a campground, walking trails, parkland, golf course, a sledding hill and a large lawn. Both plans would cost taxpayers more than $21 million per year to operate. RELATED STORIES: Burke supporters meet with Cleveland Mayor's staff on airport closure proposal Ohio community opposes request to close Burke Lakefront Airport"From delaying critical, life-saving care, to ending opportunities for local students to learn about aviation—today's event made it clearer than ever that the impact of closing Burke Lakefront Airport would be felt far and wide," said Kyle Lewis, AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager. "By releasing what they call 'hypothetical concepts,' it's clear that the mayor wants to distract from the good being done at the airport—and all without a comprehensive plan. And just hours after its release, it's clear that Cleveland residents aren't buying it. They know it's a waste of money, while taking away this unique public resource. As it stands today, Burke Lakefront Airport costs taxpayers nothing. It is funded through Cleveland's airport system and operates like reliever airports in every other major city—to serve general aviation while not impacting commercial operations at larger airports. This report also does nothing to explain how the city plans to accommodate the more than 50,000 takeoffs and landings from Burke Lakefront at nearby airports. The nearest reliever airports in Cuyahoga County and Lake County are full. And nobody—from Mayor Bibb to air traffic controllers to the traveling public—should want to add traffic to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which does not have the infrastructure to handle this influx."