
Cincinnati Municipal Airport, also known as Lunken Airport, is a public airport in Cincinnati, Ohio, that serves private aircraft and a few commercial flights. In 2007, it was in the news for accommodating Air Force One—a designation for any U.S. Air Force plane carrying the president—for the first time. While the president typically travels in a Boeing 747, Lunken Airport's 6,600-foot runway is too short to land this larger plane. Instead, President Bush arrived in a smaller Boeing 757, which still retains the blue and white colouring of the 747. This smaller plane has been used by other presidents visiting Lunken Airport, including Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Runway length | 6,600 ft |
| Runway width | N/A |
| Aircraft that have landed at Lunken Airport | Cessna 182Q, Piper Navajo, Boeing 757, Boeing C-32, Piaggio P.180 Avanti, Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six |
| Aircraft that have crashed near Lunken Airport | Cessna 182Q, Piper Navajo, Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six |
| Distance from Downtown Cincinnati | 3 mi (4.8 km) |
| Owner | City of Cincinnati |
| Aircraft served | Private aircraft, corporate fleets, small commercial aircraft |
| Number of destinations served | 5 |
| Number of daily flights | 16 |
| Airlines that use Lunken Airport as a hub | Ultimate Air Shuttle, Flamingo Air |
| Previous names | Cincinnati Municipal Airport, Lunken Field, Dixie Davis Flying Field |
| Year Lunken Airport became Cincinnati's main airport | 1925 |
| Year Lunken Airport ceased to be Cincinnati's main airport | 1947 |
| Can a 747 land at Lunken Airport? | No, the runway is too short for a 747 to land safely. |
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What You'll Learn

Lunken Airport's runway is too short for a 747 to land
Lunken Airport, officially known as Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport, is a public airport in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving private aircraft and a few commercial flights. The airport is also the headquarters of Cincinnati-based public charter airline Ultimate Air Shuttle and is home to small charter airline Flamingo Air.
The airport's runway is 6,600 feet long, which is insufficient for a Boeing 747 to land safely. The Boeing 747 is a large and heavy aircraft typically used as Air Force One, the designation for any U.S. Air Force plane carrying the president. Due to the 747's size and weight, it requires a longer runway than what Lunken Airport can offer.
In the past, presidents visiting Cincinnati have opted for smaller planes, such as the Boeing 757, which has landed at Lunken Airport on multiple occasions. The Boeing 757 is a smaller version of the 747 and is better suited for the airport's runway length.
The decision to use smaller planes when visiting Lunken Airport is a logistical choice, as it allows for easier navigation of security and law enforcement jurisdictions. Additionally, the airport's location on the east side of the city makes it a practical choice for presidential visits, as it provides easy access to various destinations within Cincinnati.
While Lunken Airport's runway may be too short for a 747 to land, the airport has accommodated smaller planes used by presidents and other dignitaries, showcasing its ability to handle VIP visits efficiently and securely.
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Smaller planes, like the 757, are used for smaller airports
Lunken Airport, also known as Cincinnati Municipal Airport – Lunken Field, is a public airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is owned by the city of Cincinnati and serves private aircraft, including the fleets of local corporations. It is also the headquarters and hub for Cincinnati-based public charter airline Ultimate Air Shuttle. The airport serves a few commercial flights and is the second-largest airport serving Cincinnati after Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is the primary airport in the area.
Lunken Airport's runway is 6,600 feet long, which is too short for a Boeing 747 to land. However, smaller planes like the Boeing 757 can land at the airport. The 757 is a narrow-body aircraft that can carry up to 150 passengers. It was designed to be more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, the 727, with a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and a 10% improvement in aerodynamic performance. The 757's higher thrust-to-weight ratio allows it to take off from short runways and serve airports in hot and high conditions. This capability makes it suitable for smaller airports like Lunken.
The 757 has been used by airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Nepal Airlines. It has been utilised for short-haul domestic flights, transcontinental services, and routes with aircraft size restrictions, such as Washington National Airport near downtown Washington, D.C. The 757-200M variant can carry mixed passenger and freight loads and has been used by Nepal Airlines to operate out of Tribhuvan International Airport in the Himalayas.
While the 757 has been involved in aviation mishaps, including hull-loss accidents and hijackings, it remains a popular choice for airlines serving smaller airports. Its ability to operate from shorter runways and its improved fuel efficiency make it a versatile aircraft for various routes and destinations.
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Lunken Airport is in Ohio, 3 miles from downtown Cincinnati
Lunken Airport, officially known as Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport, is located in Ohio, just 3 miles from downtown Cincinnati. The airport is owned by the city of Cincinnati and primarily serves private aircraft, including the fleets of local corporations. It also accommodates a small number of commercial flights.
Lunken Airport is situated in the Little Miami River valley near Columbia, which was the site of the first Cincinnati-area settlement in 1788. The airport was originally named the Dixie Davis Flying Field after John Dixon "Dixie" Davis, who began offering flying lessons at the field in 1921. By 1925, the 1,000-acre airfield had become the largest municipal airfield in the world.
In 1937, the airport experienced significant flooding from the Ohio River, submerging the airfield and the two-story main terminal building. Despite this setback, Lunken Airport continued to operate and was officially renamed Lunken Airport in 1967.
Over the years, Lunken Airport has served as a hub for several airlines, including Ultimate Air Shuttle and Flamingo Air. It has also attracted dignitaries and VIPs, including President George W. Bush, who landed at the airport in 2007 aboard Air Force One, a Boeing 757.
While Lunken Airport is a convenient and desirable airport for smaller aircraft, its 6,600-foot runway is too short to accommodate larger planes like the Boeing 747.
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The airport is named after Eshelby Lunken
Lunken Airport, also known as Cincinnati Municipal Airport – Lunken Field, is named after Eshelby Lunken, the son of Edmund H. Lunken, who owned the Lunkenheimer Valve Company, later renamed to Lunkenheimer Co. Eshelby Lunken convinced his father to buy some land for an airport and deed it to the city of Cincinnati. The land, known as Turkey Bottoms, was 204 acres and was deeded to the city in 1928 with the stipulation that it would be called Lunken Airport.
The airport was Cincinnati's main airport until 1947 and was the largest municipal airfield in the world by 1925. It was supplanted by the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport due to flooding from the Ohio River and the introduction of larger aircraft that required longer runways. The airport's nickname, "Sunken Lunken", arose from the flooding it experienced. During the Ohio River flood of 1937, the airfield and two-story main terminal building were submerged, with only the third-floor air traffic control tower remaining above the water.
Lunken Airport has served as a backdrop for scenes in films, such as The Ides of March in 2011. It is also the headquarters and hub for the Cincinnati-based public charter airline Ultimate Air Shuttle and houses the aviation school of small charter airline Flamingo Air. The airport has also received visits from notable figures, including President Donald Trump, who landed at the airport in a Boeing 757, a smaller version of the Boeing 747 typically used by the president.
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Presidents use smaller planes when landing at Lunken Airport
Lunken Airport, also known as Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport, is a public airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is owned by the city of Cincinnati and serves private aircraft, including the fleets of local corporations. The airport is also the headquarters of the Cincinnati-based public charter airline Ultimate Air Shuttle.
Lunken Airport's runway is 6,600 feet long, which is too short for a Boeing 747 to take off and land. Therefore, when presidents fly to Lunken Airport, they typically use smaller planes, such as the Boeing 757. For example, President Donald Trump landed at Lunken Airport in 2018 on a Boeing C-32, a smaller version of the Boeing 747 that is typically used as Air Force One. During a previous visit in 2017, Trump flew to Lunken Airport on a Boeing 757, which is a smaller plane that the airport regularly accommodates.
Former President George W. Bush also flew into Lunken Airport on a Boeing 757 during a visit in 2007. The Boeing 757 is a smaller version of the Boeing 747 that the president typically travels in. The use of a smaller plane is not uncommon when presidents fly into smaller municipal airports.
The decision to land at Lunken Airport is often influenced by logistical considerations. According to Fred Anderton, the airport manager, Lunken Airport reduces the number of law enforcement jurisdictions that need to be managed compared to other nearby airports. Additionally, the airport's location on the east side of the city makes it easier to reach destinations on that side of Cincinnati.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Lunken Airport's 6,600-foot runway is too short to land a 747.
Lunken Airport serves private aircraft, including the fleets of local corporations, and a few commercial flights. It is the headquarters and hub for Cincinnati-based public charter airline Ultimate Air Shuttle, serving 5 destinations in the eastern United States. It is also home to small charter airline Flamingo Air and its aviation school.
Yes, Air Force One, which can refer to any plane carrying the US president, has landed at Lunken Airport. In 2007, President George W. Bush flew into Lunken Airport in a Boeing 757, a smaller version of the Boeing 747 he typically travels in. In 2018, President Donald Trump landed at Lunken Airport in a Boeing 757 as well.
Lunken Airport is much more logistically efficient than the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, which poses additional challenges due to the need to cross the river and deal with bridges, creating potential security issues.
Yes, in 2011, Lunken Airport served as a backdrop for scenes in the film *The Ides of March*. Cindy McCain and Todd Palin were also in attendance, introduced by former Republican Congressman Rob Portman.










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