VAI supports local aviation community in effort to preserve regional airport in Cleveland On Aug. 4, a coalition of local aviation businesses, pilots, airport users, students, educators, and industry professionals submitted letters to the Cleveland City Council urging its members to preserve Burke Lakefront Airport (KBKL) and recognize its vital role in Northeast Ohio’s transportation network, workforce development, and economy. As discussions continue regarding the airport’s future, VAI stands with the Cleveland aviation community in supporting KBKL, and we oppose Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposal to close the facility. The coalition letters emphasize KBKL’s value as the FAA’s designated reliever airport for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (KCLE), an economic engine generating approximately $195 million in annual economic activity and supporting 664 jobs. KBKL is also home to flight training, aircraft maintenance, business aviation, medical transportation, and the annual Cleveland National Air Show, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. KBKL plays a critical role in developing Ohio’s aviation workforce by offering a unique training environment for student pilots and supporting local flight schools, mechanics, dispatchers, and aviation businesses. The airport also provides essential access for business aviation and time-sensitive medical transportation while helping improve the safety and efficiency of the region’s airspace. VAI supports the local community’s request for a dedicated public hearing to ensure that airport users and stakeholders have an opportunity to convey KBKL’s value. Public-use airports are irreplaceable community assets, and VAI encourages local leaders to work collaboratively with stakeholders to preserve this critical resource for future generations.
