Renovations at Cleveland Hopkins Airport Revealed

Airport and city officials celebrated the end of $36 million in renovations at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Monday, just in time for the influx of visitors for the Republican National Convention.

The updates include a modernized front entrance with higher ceilings, LED lighting, and revolving doors, as well as a parking canopy equipped with solar panels.

Standing in front of a recently-opened security checkpoint that had been closed due to construction, Joe Roman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, praised the project as part of a larger vision for the airport.

“This is at the core of everything this airport is about,” Roman said. “I think as Clevelanders we should feel tremendous that the master plan that was created for this airport is well underway, and will continue, which means we will be able to continue to grow this airport as many other cities see decline.”

Roman and others noted these changes are just one stage of a master plan to improve the airport, making it more efficient and attractive to more airlines. Efforts to standardize airport signage will occur over the next few weeks, and changes to the baggage system will begin in August.

The airport’s interim director Fred Szabo acknowledged that this past year’s renovations have caused some confusion and difficulty for travelers around the ticketing and security checkpoint areas—confusion that he says will clear up as the construction clears out.

He said these completed renovations are part of the positive changes happening around the city: “This is a great time for Cleveland, and for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The curse is behind us. The RNC is ahead of us. And Cleveland Hopkins Airport stands as a transportation hub in the community that we can all be proud of.” 

The airport also celebrated a rededication as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark for its many “firsts” in aviation.