Senators Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Jon Husted (R-Ohio) — as well as FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford — are opposing the proposed closure of Burke Lakefront Airport (KBKL) in Cleveland.
“It would be patently absurd for a politician to override the experts at the FAA to say, ‘We know better than you do,’” Moreno told News 5 Cleveland during a joint interview with the FAA administrator. “In the business world, we have the expression, ‘Don’t talk about things that are never going to happen.’”
“We need to talk about how to reopen new facilities, not how do we close existing valuable real estate,” Bedford said in the interview.
“At this time, Senator Husted believes any change to Burke Lakefront should go through the traditional process so the FAA can properly assess any plans for the property’s future,” Husted’s office said in a statement.
The comments from the elected officials were welcomed by those fighting for the airport, including officials with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and The Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership (LAPP). AOPA is a founding member of the LAPP, a coalition of local businesses, pilots, and schools opposing Mayor Justin Bibb’s efforts to close Burke Lakefront Airport.
“We appreciate Senators Moreno and Husted recognizing the value of Burke Lakefront and its importance to our national airspace system,” said AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager Kyle Lewis. “Congress was the shortcut that Mayor Bibb was counting on to close the airport. We have worked behind the scenes for months and had many productive conversations with local and federal officials on this important issue. We’ve said from the beginning that the city should work with the FAA to develop an airport master plan to provide an unbiased path forward for the airport that takes the needs and concerns of all parties into consideration.”
Officials with the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) — a national trade association representing the business interests of general aviation service companies, including FBOs, flight schools, and maintenance facilities — also welcome the support from the FAA administrator and the senators.
“The FAA’s position aligns with what NATA has emphasized throughout the discussion surrounding Burke’s future: Once aviation infrastructure and capacity are lost, they are nearly impossible to replace,” NATA officials said. “Any decision about the airport’s future should follow statutory FAA processes and carefully consider KBKL’s contribution to aviation safety, workforce development, essential services, and local economic development — as well as future potential for advanced air mobility (AAM) and increased regional air service.”
NATA officials note they have been “actively engaged on this issue alongside its members and industry partners through discussions with Ohio congressional offices, FAA leaders, local aviation businesses, and community stakeholders, as well as participation in advocacy events at Burke Lakefront Airport.”
“Administrator Bedford’s comments reinforce the importance of looking at Burke Lakefront Airport through the lens of both Cleveland’s future and the nation’s long-term aviation needs,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “The opportunity now is to consider how Burke can continue to evolve, strengthen its value to the region, and meet future aviation needs.”
NATA officials also pointed out that as a recipient of FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants as recently as 2019, the city of Cleveland is legally obligated to maintain KBKL as a public-use airport for the next 20 years.
“These Congressionally mandated grant assurances safeguard federal and private investment alike by protecting taxpayer money and providing stability for private investors,” they noted.
“As the federal government invests in much-needed modernization of our nation’s air traffic control system, protecting aviation infrastructure like Burke and maintaining general aviation access to the entire airport network is a critical part of the conversation,” Castagna said.
For more information: BurkeAirport.com, AOPA.org, NATA.aero
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