Cleveland Air Show Threatens to Leave if Burke Lakefront Airport Closes

Mayor Bibb wants to work out a solution, but the air show organizers say they won't engage in discussions

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:39pm

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The Cleveland National Air Show is threatening to end its decades-long run in the city if Burke Lakefront Airport is closed, as Mayor Justin Bibb has proposed. The air show organizers say a remote show at another airport is not feasible, while the mayor's office believes a solution can be found to keep the popular event in Cleveland.

Why it matters

The Cleveland Air Show is a major summertime attraction that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city's lakefront. Its departure would be a significant economic and cultural loss for Cleveland. The dispute also highlights the challenges of balancing development plans with preserving long-standing community events.

The details

The air show organizers sent a letter to the city stating that the event 'would cease to exist' if Burke Lakefront Airport closes. They argue a remote show at another airport is not operationally or financially viable. However, the mayor's office says it has reached out multiple times to discuss alternatives, but the air show has not been willing to engage. City officials believe the air show could potentially operate from the city's main airport, Hopkins International, and still perform over Lake Erie.

  • The air show organizers sent a formal letter to the city on April 1, 2026.
  • Mayor Bibb has said he wants Burke Lakefront Airport to close within his second term.

The players

Justin Bibb

The mayor of Cleveland who has proposed closing Burke Lakefront Airport.

Kim Dell

The executive director of the Cleveland National Air Show.

Rich Mears

The president of the Cleveland National Air Show's board of trustees.

Jessica Trivisonno

The deputy chief of staff for Mayor Bibb and the lead on development efforts.

Charles Slife

A Cleveland city councilman.

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What they’re saying

“If Burke closes, the Air Show 'would cease to exist.'”

— Kim Dell, Executive Director, Cleveland National Air Show

“We reach out to the Air Show three times a week to try to talk to them about how to transition their operations if Burke was to close.”

— Jessica Trivisonno, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mayor Bibb

“No ... they have not been calling 'three times a week.'”

— Kim Dell, Executive Director, Cleveland National Air Show

“I'm not picking a side in this as much as I'm saying that the conclusion that the Air Show could not take place if there was not a runway here, I think, is an overexaggeration.”

— Charles Slife, Cleveland City Councilman

What’s next

The Cleveland City Council will continue to hold hearings on the future of Burke Lakefront Airport and the potential impact on the Cleveland National Air Show. Mayor Bibb's administration says it is confident a solution can be found to keep the air show in Cleveland even if the airport closes.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the challenge of balancing development plans with preserving long-standing community events. While the air show organizers argue the event cannot exist without Burke Lakefront Airport, the mayor's office believes a remote show is possible. Resolving this impasse will require compromise and creative thinking from both sides to find a way to keep the air show in Cleveland.