CLEVELAND — A group of businesses, aviation organizations, pilots and schools have expressed their distaste for Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s effort to close the Burke Lakefront Airport.
What You Need To Know
- Bibb requested to close the airport in October
- The Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership sent a letter to lawmakers to oppose Bibb’s efforts
- The coalition said the mayor has not proved that closing the airport is in public’s best interest
“Burke Lakefront Airport isn’t just used by general aviation pilots—it’s a vital asset to northeast Ohio and the country,” said AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager Kyle Lewis. “Planes take off and land there more than 50,000 times each year, and the airport serves as an important link for public safety, medevac operations, Coast Guard missions and training, flight training, educational opportunities, and more. For example, just one medevac operator based at Burke Lakefront operates more than 500 medical and organ transplant flights there every year.”
In October, Bibb requested the federal government to relieve the city of its obligation to keep the airport open…