Cleveland Airport: Managing Busy Travel Hubs Efficiently

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the largest and busiest airport in Ohio, ranking among the top fifty largest airports in the United States by passenger numbers. It is the primary airport serving Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. The airport has a rich history in commercial air travel, being one of the first municipality-owned facilities in the United States and the site of several first-in-the-world innovations that later became the global standard. The airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger traffic, with a sharp decline following United's closure of its hub in 2014, but rebounded with the entry of low-cost carriers and increased service from other airlines.

TSA wait times

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the largest and busiest airport in Ohio and is among the top fifty largest airports in the United States by passenger numbers. The airport is located in Cleveland's Hopkins neighbourhood, 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Downtown Cleveland. It is the primary airport serving Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

The TSA advises passengers to arrive at the airport well before their flight's scheduled departure time. Airport officials encourage travellers to arrive at least two hours before scheduled departures to account for potential delays due to inclement weather, traffic, parking, checking-in, and security checkpoints.

To make the most of your time at the airport, it is recommended to check for any possible departure delays and keep track of the status of your flight in real-time. Additionally, enrolling in CLEAR Plus or TSA PreCheck can expedite the security screening process. CLEAR Plus is a premium service that uses biometric technology to speed up security checks, allowing members to bypass the usual security lines. Similarly, TSA PreCheck allows travellers to experience expedited screening, including the ability to keep their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, and carry laptops and compliant liquids in their bags.

The Central and South Checkpoints at CLE are open daily from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm, while the North Checkpoint operates as needed. By enrolling in these programs and staying updated on flight statuses, travellers can efficiently navigate security and make the most of their time at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Passenger numbers

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the primary airport serving the Greater Cleveland metropolitan area and Northeast Ohio. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state, and is also in the top 50 largest airports in the US by passenger numbers.

The airport was founded on July 1, 1925, and was one of the first municipality-owned facilities of its kind in the US. It was the site of the first air traffic control tower in 1929, the first ground-to-air radio control system in 1939, and the first airfield lighting system in 1930. It was also the first airport in North America to be directly connected to a rail transit line in 1968.

United Airlines established its easternmost domestic hub in Cleveland after World War II, which it maintained until the mid-1980s. When United stopped using Cleveland as a hub, it closed Concourse D, but continued to pay to lease the facility. The entry of low-cost carriers to the market, which had previously had among the highest average fares in the country, caused passenger traffic to rebound to pre-closure levels within a few years.

In 2014, United announced that it would shut down its Cleveland hub, stating that the hub "hasn't been profitable for over a decade". This caused a sharp decline in passenger counts, but several other airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, increased their service to Cleveland in subsequent years. As a result, by 2017, the airport's passenger count had exceeded levels achieved during the last full year that United maintained a hub in Cleveland. Despite the closure of its hub, as of 2017, United still maintained roughly 1,200 employees in Greater Cleveland, and remains the largest carrier at Hopkins.

Cleveland Hopkins offers non-stop passenger service to 43 destinations. In December 2023, the airport welcomed 806,104 passengers, while in January 2024, it welcomed 679,958 passengers, a 1.4% increase from the previous month. In February 2024, the airport saw a 3.6% decrease in passengers, with 668,388 passengers passing through.

CLEAR Plus service

CLEAR Plus is a premium service that uses biometric technology to speed up the security screening process at the airport. It is currently only available to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents aged 18 and over with a valid government-issued photo ID. CLEAR Plus members can use dedicated CLEAR lanes to get through security faster at select airports, including Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

CLEAR Plus members can enrol in TSA PreCheck, which is a U.S. government program that identifies travellers deemed low-risk by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA PreCheck members can enjoy expedited security screening at U.S. airports, with no need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets. This can save members time and provide a more convenient and efficient experience at airport security.

In addition to faster security screening, CLEAR Plus members can access exclusive travel perks such as expedited passport services and easier luggage shipment. CLEAR Plus also offers a personal guide service called Ambassador Assist, which is available at select airports, including Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. This service helps members navigate the airport from curb to gate, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey.

CLEAR Plus members can also add up to three people to their account, allowing them to save time and money when travelling with family or friends. The CLEAR app provides additional features that simplify travel, such as flight tracking and integration with ridesharing apps. Overall, CLEAR Plus offers a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to enhance the travel experience, providing members with faster, smoother, and more convenient airport security checks.

History of the airport

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is a city-owned airport in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state and is among the top fifty largest airports in the US by passenger numbers. The airport is named after its founder, former city manager William R. Hopkins, who began searching for a more appropriate airfield to accommodate the city's airmail stop in the 1920s. The current site was selected in January 1925, and a bond issue for land acquisition and construction was approved by the city council.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport officially opened on July 1, 1925, and is the second-oldest municipally-owned airport in the United States still in continuous operation at the same location. The airport has been at the forefront of several innovations that have become global standards. It was the site of the first air traffic control tower in 1929, the first ground-to-air radio control system in 1930, and the first airfield lighting system in 1930. It was also the first airport in the US to be directly connected to a local or regional rail transit system in 1968, with the first emergency medical technician program established in 1965.

In the post-World War II era, United Airlines established its easternmost domestic hub in Cleveland, which it maintained until the mid-1980s when it moved to Washington–Dulles. Continental Airlines then moved in, becoming the dominant carrier at the airport in the 1990s and 2000s. In 1992, the airport completed a $50 million renovation of Concourse C, which included the installation of a skylight and a new Baggage Claim area. In 1999, an $80 million expansion included the construction of Concourse D to accommodate Continental Express and Continental Connection flights.

In 2010, United and Continental merged, and United closed the Cleveland hub, leading to a sharp decline in passenger counts. However, other low-cost airlines such as Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air began servicing the airport, and existing airlines like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines increased their daily flights. As a result, by 2017, passenger counts had rebounded and even exceeded pre-closure levels. Today, United remains the largest carrier at Cleveland Hopkins, followed by Southwest Airlines.

Airlines that use the airport

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is a city-owned airport in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state and is also one of the top fifty largest airports in the country by passenger numbers.

The airport has been at the forefront of several innovations in commercial air travel, including being the first airport with an air traffic control tower and a two-level terminal design separating arrivals and departures. It was also the first airport in North America to be directly linked to a rail transit line.

In terms of airlines, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has been a significant hub for United Airlines, which established its operations in Cleveland after World War II. However, United reduced its presence in Cleveland in the 2000s, and by 2014, it had shut down its hub operation at the airport. Despite this, United still maintains a significant presence at the airport, including a flight attendant and pilot base, as well as maintenance facilities. It is also the largest carrier at the airport by passenger count.

After United scaled back its operations, other airlines stepped in to fill the void. Low-cost carriers such as Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Frontier entered the market, offering new service to the airport. Existing airlines, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, also increased their presence at the airport by adding more daily flights and destinations. Regional airline CommuteAir, which operates exclusively on behalf of United Express, is headquartered nearby. Additionally, international carriers like Icelandair and Wow Air began offering flights to Reykjavík in 2018, providing further connectivity for passengers.

As a result of these changes, the airport's passenger count rebounded, and by 2017, it had exceeded the levels achieved when United maintained a hub in Cleveland. This demonstrates the airport's ability to adapt and attract new carriers, ensuring its continued importance as a busy aviation hub in the region.

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