Overview
- Cleveland officials used a Wednesday council hearing to explain the airport closure process without participation from the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Leaders laid out three options to shut Burke: wait for grant obligations to end in 2034–2039, seek FAA approval by proving a net benefit to the aviation system, or ask Congress to direct closure.
- City staff said the airport loses about $1.7 million a year, a near-term shutdown could trigger roughly $7 million in grant repayments, and Burke is no longer listed as a federal reliever airport.
- Advocacy groups pushed back, with AOPA faulting the mayor for not inviting the FAA and noting the Cleveland National Air Show’s organizers say the event would end if Burke closes.
- Next steps include a meeting with the FAA later this month to start the federal review, a council session on April 15 to revisit plans, and an added stakeholder hearing announced by Councilman Charles Slife.