Cincinnati Airports: All You Need To Know

There are three airports in the immediate Cincinnati, Ohio area: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Lunken Airport, and Blue Ash Airport. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is the largest airport in the area and is located in Boone County, Kentucky. Lunken Airport is located east/southeast of Downtown Cincinnati and is often referred to as a reliever airport for CVG. Blue Ash Airport is located north of Cincinnati and is primarily a small general aviation airport.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (IATA: CVG, ICAO: KCVG, FAA LID: CVG) is located in Boone County, Kentucky, United States, in the community of Hebron. The airport serves the Cincinnati tri-state area and is the largest airport in Cincinnati. It covers an area of 7,000 acres (10.9 sq mi; 28.3 km2) and has one terminal and two concourses with a total of 51 gates. Both concourses are islands and are accessible via an underground moving walkway and people mover. The airport offers nonstop passenger service to over 50 destinations in North America and Europe and handles numerous domestic and international cargo flights daily.

The airport is a significant cargo hub, serving Amazon Air, Atlas Air, ABX Air, Kalitta Air, and DHL Aviation. DHL has a major presence at CVG, with numerous flights to destinations worldwide and approximately 2,500 employees. In 2015, DHL announced a $108 million expansion, doubling its cargo operations and providing many jobs in the Cincinnati area. Amazon Air also chose CVG as its main worldwide shipping hub in 2017, investing $1.49 billion in constructing and expanding its cargo facility.

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has a substantial economic impact, contributing $6.8 billion annually and ranking as the 6th largest cargo hub in North America. The airport is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023-2027 and is categorised as a medium-hub primary commercial service facility.

The airport's code, CVG, is derived from Covington, Kentucky, the nearest city when the airport opened. The airport is easily accessible, located 9.4 miles from Covington and 26 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lunken Airport

Historically, Lunken Airport was the primary airport serving the region. However, due to its frequent fog and history of flooding, federal officials sought an alternative airfield site that would not be prone to these issues. Despite this, Cincinnati officials had ambitions to develop Lunken Airport into the region's main airport.

Today, Lunken Airport continues to operate as a general aviation facility, serving corporate, private, and charter flights, while also functioning as a reliever airport for the larger Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Blue Ash Airport

In 1925, the Grisard Company moved to Lunken Field, and the Watson brothers purchased the Blue Ash airfield, renaming it Watson Field. By 1928, airlines were making scheduled flights to Cleveland and Louisville, Kentucky, from Watson. After a major flood in 1937-1938 that submerged Lunken Airport, city leaders began discussing expanding the Blue Ash site to replace Lunken as the area's commercial airport. However, these expansion plans faced opposition from the Blue Ash Civic League and nearby residents.

In 1946, the City of Cincinnati purchased the airport, and it became Ohio's first municipal airport. The city's development plans for the site as a major airport faced challenges due to community opposition, political infighting, and the success of the competing airport project in nearby Hebron, which became the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

Dayton, OH, James M. Cox Dayton International Airport

James M. Cox Dayton International Airport is a bustling airport that offers a range of amenities and services for travellers. The airport features multiple terminals and concourses, with a variety of shopping and dining options available. The airport also provides convenient parking options, making it easy for travellers to find a spot for their vehicles.

As a major aviation hub, James M. Cox Dayton International Airport is home to a number of airlines that offer direct and connecting flights to destinations across the globe. The airport is also well-connected to the surrounding region, with easy access to major highways and public transportation options. This makes it a convenient gateway for travellers heading to or from Cincinnati or other nearby destinations.

In addition to its role as a transportation hub, James M. Cox Dayton International Airport also contributes significantly to the local economy. The airport generates billions of dollars in economic activity and supports tens of thousands of jobs in the region. This includes jobs not only in aviation and aerospace but also in fields such as defence, research, and education.

Overall, James M. Cox Dayton International Airport is a vital transportation and economic hub for the Cincinnati region, offering convenient travel options and contributing to the area's rich history of innovation and growth.

Louisville, KY, Louisville International Airport

Louisville International Airport, with the airport code SDF, is located 119 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio. It is one of the airports that serve the Cincinnati area. The airport is 119 miles from Cincinnati, which equates to roughly a 2-hour drive.

Louisville, KY, is a logistics hub with strong air, road, and rail connectivity. The city has a reputation for being a leader in logistics and supply chains. The airport is also easily accessible from Louisville, with good transport links.

Louisville International Airport is a good option for those looking for cheaper flights to the Cincinnati area. Often, it can be more cost-effective to fly into a smaller or further-out airport and then drive to your destination. This is especially true if you are planning on renting a car.

The airport is also a good option for those looking for direct flights to the Cincinnati area, as it offers a range of direct flights to destinations across the United States and beyond.

Frequently asked questions