Cincinnati Airport: Why Is It In Kentucky?

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is located in Kentucky due to a combination of geographical, historical, and political factors. Firstly, Cincinnati's original airport, Lunken Airport, was prone to flooding and had limited space for expansion due to its location in a valley. During World War II, the Army Air Corps sought airfields for pilot training, and Lunken's runways were too short for bombers. Kenton County, Kentucky, had an abundance of flat farmland, and with federal funding secured by a Northern Kentucky congressman, they were able to build an airport in Boone County, Kentucky. Meanwhile, efforts to expand or relocate Cincinnati's airport to Blue Ash, Ohio, were met with resistance from residents and political disagreements, ultimately leading to the failure of the plan. As a result, the new airport in Kentucky became the main commercial airport for the region, despite initial opposition from Cincinnati leaders who wanted to keep the airport in Ohio.

Lunken Airport's proneness to flooding

Lunken Airport, also known as Cincinnati Municipal Airport – Lunken Field, is located in the Little Miami River valley near Columbia, Ohio. The airport is bounded by the Ohio River to the south and the Little Miami River to the east, which was originally diverted from its path through the airfield.

Lunken Airport's location in the Ohio River valley makes it prone to flooding. In 1937, the airfield and the two-story main terminal building were submerged under 20 to 30 feet of water, with only the third-floor air traffic control tower remaining above the floodwaters. The airport experienced flooding again in 1945 and 1948, earning it the nickname "Sunken Lunken".

The flooding issues at Lunken Airport prompted the need for an alternative airport serving the Cincinnati area. The site of the current Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Boone County, Kentucky, was chosen due to its flat, non-floodplain location and ample available land.

Northern Kentuckians' political savvy

Northern Kentuckians were politically savvy in their approach to securing the region's commercial airport. They took advantage of the existing challenges with Lunken Airport, which was prone to flooding and had limited capacity for expansion due to its location in a valley. Northern Kentuckians also recognised the opportunity presented by the Army Air Corps' need for training fields during World War II. They lobbied for federal funds and secured money for site development, allowing them to build longer runways and a modern administration building.

The political manoeuvring by Northern Kentuckians was evident in their choice of location for the airport. They selected Boone County, which offered flat farmland, and collaborated with Kenton County, which provided the necessary funds to acquire the land and run the airport. This strategic partnership ensured that Northern Kentucky had the resources and infrastructure needed to establish a successful airport.

The involvement of a Northern Kentucky congressman, Brent Spence, and Senator Alben Barkley, was crucial in securing federal funding for the airport project. Their lobbying efforts resulted in President Franklin D. Roosevelt approving funds for site development, demonstrating the political clout and influence wielded by Northern Kentuckians.

The Northern Kentuckians' political savvy extended beyond just acquiring funds and land. They also ensured that the airport bore the name of the neighbouring state and county. The airport code, CVG, stands for Covington, the Kenton County seat, solidifying the airport's association with Northern Kentucky.

The establishment of the airport in Northern Kentucky was a significant achievement, and it showcased the political acumen of the region's leaders. They capitalised on the limitations of Lunken Airport and seized the opportunity presented by World War II to secure federal funding. Through strategic partnerships and careful planning, Northern Kentuckians successfully brought the region's commercial airport to their state, solidifying its place in the aviation industry for decades to come.

Blue Ash residents' resistance to airport expansion

The Blue Ash Airport, also known as Cincinnati–Blue Ash Airport, was a public airport located in Blue Ash, Ohio, United States, and owned by the City of Cincinnati. It was established in 1921 and was one of the first operational airfields in the United States. Despite its long history, the airport faced community opposition and failed expansion plans, which ultimately led to its closure in 2012.

Blue Ash residents resisted the expansion of the airport due to several factors. Firstly, the airport was located in a densely populated area, and the surrounding neighbourhoods in the hills continued to grow. Residents were not keen on the idea of increased air traffic over their homes. Secondly, the airport had a history of failed expansion attempts. The city of Cincinnati initiated plans to expand the facility after World War II, but these plans were met with strong resistance from local residents. The community of Blue Ash even incorporated as a village in 1955 and as a city in 1961 to gain control over zoning matters and contain the airfield.

The resistance from Blue Ash residents was so strong that they successfully defeated multiple bond measures and political initiatives aimed at expanding the airport. Additionally, Cincinnati's decision not to participate in the federal airfield program further hindered the expansion plans. The combination of community opposition, political infighting, and the city's failure to secure federal support ultimately led to the airport's demise.

In the end, the Blue Ash Airport was unable to compete with the nearby Greater Cincinnati Airport (CVG) in Boone County, Kentucky, which had the support of local officials and secured federal funding. The resistance from Blue Ash residents played a crucial role in shaping the aviation landscape in the region, resulting in the establishment of CVG as the primary commercial airport serving the Cincinnati area.

The availability of flat, flood-free land in Boone County, Kentucky

The story of CVG begins with the challenges faced by Lunken Airport, Cincinnati's first major airport located on the Ohio River valley. Lunken Airport was prone to flooding, with a notable instance in 1937 when it was 20 to 30 feet underwater during the Great Flood. In addition, the surrounding hillsides often caused fog, hindering operations and preventing the expansion of runways. These limitations, coupled with the growing neighbourhoods in the nearby hills, made it challenging for Lunken Airport to accommodate the increasing air traffic demands.

As a result, Cincinnati leaders began exploring alternative locations for the region's commercial airport. Blue Ash Airport, formerly known as Watson Field, was considered a promising candidate due to its relatively dry and fog-resistant location. However, the residents of Blue Ash strongly opposed expansion plans, even incorporating as a village and later as a city to fight the proposal. This resistance, coupled with failed bond measures and political disagreements, ultimately thwarted the plans for Blue Ash.

Meanwhile, across the river in Kentucky, officials in Kenton County recognised the opportunity to bring commercial air travel to their state. They set their sights on Boone County, which offered an abundance of flat, flood-free farmland. Kenton County agreed to purchase nearly 900 acres of land, approximately 12.5 miles from Fountain Square, with the condition that they would own and operate the airport.

With federal funding secured through the efforts of Northern Kentucky congressman Brent Spence and Senator Alben Barkley, construction of the new airport in Boone County commenced. The airport boasted four 5,500-foot runways and an administration building, providing a significant upgrade over Lunken Airport's limited infrastructure. The new airport officially opened in October 1946, with commercial flights commencing in January 1947, marking the beginning of CVG's role as the primary airport serving the Cincinnati region.

Kenton County's ownership of the airport

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is operated by the Kenton County Airport Board. The airport is located in Boone County, Kentucky, but it is governed by the Kenton County Airport Board.

In the 1940s, Kenton County residents issued a bond to buy the land from Boone County. They got the President of the United States to issue an exemption that allowed them to build the airport. The citizens of Kenton County own the airport and elect the Airport Board, but they do not receive any income or taxes from the airport.

The Kenton County Airport Board was formed by a coalition of officials from Kenton, Boone, and Campbell County. The airport's code, CVG, is derived from Covington, Kentucky, the nearest city when the airport opened.

Kenton County agreed to buy nearly 900 acres 12.5 miles from Fountain Square as long as it could own and run the airport. Northern Kentucky got $2 million to build four 5,500-foot runways and an administration building. The first commercial flight, an American Airlines DC-3 from Cleveland, landed on January 10, 1947, at 9:53 am.

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