Taking Flight for BKL: Bizav Leaders Highlight Value of Cleveland’s Waterfront Airport

March 25, 2026

At airports like Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL), the general aviation industry, including business aviation, plays an essential role in job creation, local economic investment and competitiveness for companies of all sizes in the surrounding communities.

That message was the focus of a March 25 advocacy event at BKL, which brought together industry leaders, civic officials and elected representatives to underscore the importance of general aviation in connecting citizens, companies and communities in the Buckeye State and across the country.

The meeting took place in conjunction with NBAA’s 2026 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2026), which provided a unique and powerful opportunity for the association’s staff, business leaders and representatives with the Ohio congressional delegation to meet and discuss Burke Lakefront Airport’s value.

Equally important, the group emphasized why the city mayor’s suggested closure of the airport would be detrimental to Cleveland, the surrounding region and the National Airspace System.

“BKL generates $76.6 million in direct economic activity and closing it would result in an estimated $31.5 million permanent economic loss, as well as the potential for fewer companies to locate or do business in the city,” NBAA Regional Director Brittany Davies said during the meeting, held at Signature Aviation.

One-third of that economic loss would stem directly from the discontinuation of the Cleveland National Air Show, Davies added.

The airport also provides a lifeline for critical medical flights, due to its closeness to the Cleveland Clinic. BKL handles more than 500 medical and organ transplant flights a year.

“The importance of Burke’s proximity to the hospital can’t be overstated,” added Alex Gertsen, CAM, NBAA senior director of airport advocacy and vertical infrastructure. “Burke helps save lives.”

Mike Christie, from Global Jet Capital and the Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association, noted that the airport is unique in its proximity to the city and is highly valued as a transportation hub.

Instead of pursuing the closure of Burke Airport to make way for a waterfront development project, the airfield should be integrated into the plans for the city’s future, given its powerful role in the area’s economy and transportation system, Christie noted.

“Shuttering the airport would be a tragedy,” added Curt Castagna, president and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. “There are 5,200 public airports in the U.S. and only 500 are served by airlines. Companies of all sizes investing in Cleveland need this airport, and businesses based at BKL need assurances to invest in the facility.”

Business Aviation Thrives in Ohio

Congressional staff members also had the opportunity to attend SDC2026, listen to an inspiring keynote from Cleveland-based Flexjet founder Kenn Ricci and tour the exhibit hall with stops at Buckeye State businesses to hear firsthand about the value the industry brings to Ohio.

Businesses visited included 4AIR, Tronair, Inc., ForeFront Technologies, Inc, FlightSafety International Inc. and other local companies.

Congressional attendees included the office of Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), the office of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), the office of Rep. Shontel Brown (D-11-OH), the office of Rep. Dave Joyce (R-14-OH) and the office of Rep. Max Miller (R-07-OH).