Cleveland Councilman Calls for Closing Burke Lakefront Airport

Austin N. Davis argues the airport is a financial burden and blocks public access to the lake.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:38am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting depicting the empty terminal building of Burke Lakefront Airport, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows casting a contemplative mood over the scene, conveying the airport's isolation from the surrounding community.The looming presence of Burke Lakefront Airport, an underutilized and exclusive space that blocks public access to Cleveland's lakefront.Cleveland Today

Cleveland City Councilman Austin N. Davis is calling for the closure of Burke Lakefront Airport, arguing that it costs the city more to operate than it generates in revenue and that it blocks public access to the lakefront. Davis says the airport is a 'looming presence' that is 'exclusive' and full of 'potential' that could be better utilized. He believes Clevelanders deserve 'unbridled access' to Lake Erie and that the airport's closure would allow the city to build something that benefits all residents.

Why it matters

The closure of Burke Lakefront Airport is a contentious issue in Cleveland, with debates over the financial implications, the impact on businesses and services currently located there, and the potential benefits of opening up the lakefront to public access. As a council member representing the ward that includes the lakefront, Davis is taking a strong stance in favor of closure to prioritize community access to the lake.

The details

In 2025, Burke Lakefront Airport cost $3.3 million to operate but only generated $1.6 million in revenue, resulting in a $1.7 million loss. Most of its revenue comes from a parking lot, not from flights. Davis argues that the airlines at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which is just a 20-minute drive from downtown, already fund two airports under one budget, passing those costs on to all Hopkins travelers. He believes the seven daily revenue passengers at Burke could easily be accommodated at Hopkins, and that hobbyist pilots could move to regional airports outside Cleveland.

  • In 2025, Burke Lakefront Airport cost $3.3 million to operate.
  • In 2021, the airline Ultimate Air Shuttle, which flew out of Burke, left Cleveland and went bankrupt in 2023.

The players

Austin N. Davis

A member of the Cleveland City Council representing Ward 7, which includes the lakefront area.

Charles Slife

A Cleveland City Council member who led hearings on the future of Burke Lakefront Airport.

Jeffrey Epstein

The disgraced financier who reportedly landed at Burke Lakefront Airport when visiting the area.

Ron DeSantis

The former governor of Florida who was involved in relocating immigrants from Florida to Martha's Vineyard in 2022.

McKinley Wiley

The owner of The Dark Room Company, a business located at Burke Lakefront Airport.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Yes, there are serious questions about how we close Burke Lakefront Airport and what happens next. But there's no question that it should be closed, and we're more than capable of solving any issues along the way.”

— Austin N. Davis, Cleveland City Council Member

“Close Burke. Build something for everyone.”

— Austin N. Davis, Cleveland City Council Member

What’s next

The Cleveland City Council will need to work through issues related to the closure of Burke Lakefront Airport, such as finding new locations for businesses currently operating there and ensuring the city's budget is not negatively impacted. The council will also need to determine the best use for the 450-acre site once the airport is closed.

The takeaway

The closure of Burke Lakefront Airport is a complex issue, but Councilman Davis believes the benefits of opening up public access to the lakefront outweigh the challenges. His stance reflects a growing sentiment in Cleveland that the airport is an outdated and exclusive use of valuable waterfront property that should be repurposed for the broader community's benefit.