Cleveland, Ohio's Airport Options: A Comprehensive Overview

Cleveland, Ohio is served by two airports: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL). Both airports are owned and operated by the City of Cleveland and together comprise the Cleveland Airport System. Cleveland Hopkins is the primary airport serving Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio and is the largest and busiest airport in the state. It is also one of the top 50 largest airports in the US by passenger numbers.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

The airport covers an area of 1,717 acres (695 ha) and has three runways. It consists of a two-level passenger terminal with four concourses, three of which are currently in use. These concourses house various airlines, including Frontier, Spirit, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Air Canada Express, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines.

In recent years, the airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger traffic due to changes in carrier operations. After United Airlines closed its hub at the airport in 2014, other low-cost carriers such as Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Allegiant Air increased their service to Cleveland. As a result, by 2017, the airport's passenger count exceeded previous levels.

Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport

Cleveland is served by three airports: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Akron-Canton Airport, and Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport. This answer will focus on Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport.

The airport is frequently used by professional sports team charter flights due to its proximity to sports venues such as FirstEnergy Stadium and Progressive Field. It also serves as the operational hub for the Cleveland Clinic's fleet of air ambulances. The airport is easily accessible from downtown Cleveland, making it convenient for tourists and other visitors to the city.

In addition to its aviation facilities, Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport also offers a range of non-aviation-related facilities and services. The airport is home to the International Women's Air & Space Museum, located within the terminal. Additionally, some city government agencies and private businesses unrelated to aviation occupy unused terminal space. The airport also hosts the annual Cleveland National Air Show every Labor Day weekend, attracting 60,000 to 100,000 visitors.

Cleveland's aviation history

Cleveland has a rich aviation history, emerging as a centre for the early development of commercial mail and passenger flight operations in the 1920s. The city's aviation story began during World War I when the federal government introduced airmail delivery. Cleveland's location was ideal for a coast-to-coast route, and in 1918, it became one of the principal stops for the first regular airmail service. This service saw planes carrying 850 lbs of mail land in Woodland Hills Park.

In 1925, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was established, reflecting the city's growing importance in aviation. The airport's location was chosen by city officials and Army Air Service personnel, who selected a much larger site than the previous makeshift fields. The new airport soon saw an increase in traffic, with 4,000 planes clearing the field in its first year, a number that grew to 14,000 by 1927.

The city also played a role in aviation research and development, hosting the National Air Races intermittently throughout the 1930s and from 1946 to 1949. These races were important in advancing aircraft technology, with contests serving as proving grounds to test durability and performance. Cleveland's stature as a research centre was further affirmed when the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics established an aircraft engine laboratory in the city in 1940.

Today, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport remains a busy transportation hub, with a range of facilities and services for travellers.

Airport facilities and services

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the primary airport serving Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state and is in the top 50 largest airports in the US by passenger numbers. The airport has one main terminal building and four concourse areas (A, B, C, and D).

Facilities and Services

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport offers a wide range of facilities and services for travellers. The airport is well-equipped with excellent dining, shopping, and disabled facilities. There are numerous places to eat, including a good selection of bars, restaurants, and fast-food outlets situated in the terminal building. Vending machines are also located throughout the airport. For travellers who want to do some shopping, the airport has a variety of shops, including newsagents, a beauty therapy shop, leather goods stores, and gift shops selling souvenirs.

The airport also provides comprehensive business services, with a business centre offering telephones, fax machines, and fast internet access. Additionally, there are two large conference centres located near the main baggage reclaim area, and the nearby Sheraton Hotel offers additional business facilities.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is also committed to accessibility, with good access for disabled travellers. The airport provides lifts/elevators, ramps, and wheelchair accessibility. All of the airport's car parks have disabled parking spaces, and adapted vehicles can be hired from onsite car rental companies.

Other amenities at the airport include currency exchange, ATM cash points located throughout the concourse areas, and information desks where helpful staff provide a range of useful information about the airport, travel to and from the site, and tourist information about Cleveland.

Transportation

The airport is conveniently connected to the Cleveland Rapid Transit system via the Red Line Rapid Transit station located beneath the terminal. A dedicated taxi service with 110 vehicles is also available. Rental car operations are located off the airport property, and shuttle services are provided between the airport and the rental car facility.

Cleveland's private airports

Cleveland, Ohio, is served by three airports: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Akron–Canton Airport, and Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport. The latter two airports are the focus of this article as they are both owned by the city of Cleveland.

Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (IATA: BKL, ICAO: KBKL, FAA LID: BKL) is a general aviation airport and reliever airport for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. It is located in the northeast part of downtown Cleveland, on the shore of Lake Erie. The airport covers an area of 450 acres (180 ha) and features two asphalt runways: 6L/24R (6,198 x 150 ft or 1,889 x 46 m) and 6R/24L (5,197 x 100 ft or 1,584 x 30 m). The airport is capable of handling large jets, including 737s, 757s, and A320s, as well as smaller general aviation aircraft.

Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport is named after former Cleveland mayor and U.S. senator Thomas A. Burke. It opened in 1947 as the United States' first downtown airport and the first municipally-owned and operated airport. The airport was originally designed to serve as a supplemental airfield for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and featured a 2,000-foot (610-metre) dirt runway and a small operations facility and hangar. Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and improvements, including the addition of a terminal, control tower, and passenger concourses.

The airport has been used for various events, including the Cleveland Grand Prix in 1981 and the annual Cleveland National Air Show, which attracts 60,000 to 100,000 visitors each year. The airport also serves as the operational hub for the Cleveland Clinic's fleet of air ambulances.

In recent years, there have been calls to close the airport due to dwindling operations and increasing interest in waterfront redevelopment. In 2023, Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb initiated a study to explore alternative uses for the land.

Frequently asked questions