The Future of Cleveland Hopkins Airport

Posted Tuesday, November 23, 2010

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As thousands of travelers take to the sky this week, we'll talk to Director of Port Control Ricky Smith about the future of Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Now that Continental and United Airlines have merged, can the airport maintain its hub status? How does the Northeast Ohio business community play a role in supporting the airport? Plus, how the TSA's new, more aggressive screening process is being received here. Join the conversation, Tuesday at 9, on 90.3.

Guests

Ricky Smith, Director, Department of Port Control
Joe Roman, President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership

Additional Information

Cleveland Hopkins Airport
WCPN: Continental-United Merger Means Flights Stay at CLE, for Now
The Plain Dealer: Cleveland needs to prove that its airport can be profitable, United CEO Jeff Smisek says
TSA Blog

Please follow our community discussion rules when composing your comments.

Tom 9:30 AM 11/23/10

Will people in the medical industry risk the cancers and blindness possibly resulting from a dose of TSA administered Compton Back-scatter X-rays / or put up with the sexual assault alternative in order to come to Cleveland to go to the new medical mart, or will they just shop for equipment on line instead?

Michael Christoff 10:44 AM 11/23/10

Why are we still talking about tearing down Burke Lakefront Airport. Does anyone really believe that Burke Lakefront Airport is where we should “start” mixed-use lakefront development? It is the least connected portion of potential downtown access to the lakefront. In a city of currently limited resources, and population, why would we not concentrate development and resource allocation to the areas of highest probable impact (starting at intersection of river/lake where the Flats East Bank is currently moving forward and then move east). If someone with development and political vision were able to envision a lakefront where development, the port, and burke lakefront all existed together (this really isn’t as difficult as everyone claims), we would truly have one of the most unique waterfronts in the world. This is going to take one heck of a political leader that can really get everyone that “wants to work closely together” to truly do so. If we can’t manage this, the hub will disappear, lakefront development will not happen, and the major investments currently being made will not be able to leverage additional private investment (which is the entire point of public investment and public/private partnerships). I do believe we can do this, and I do believe we will be able to make this all happen. The next 5 years in Cleveland could be truly amazing and significantly shift the trajectory of this city...if we’re ALL willing to put in the work.