Cleveland, OH, October 7, 2026 – In testimony to the Cleveland City Council by the Ohio Regional Business Association’s (ORBAA), board member, Christian Pancake delivered more than a thousand signatures from local residents who support Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) during a hearing about BKL’s future.
Local residents, aviation companies and airport stakeholders are testifying in support of Burke Lakefront Airport before a Council Transportation and Mobility Committee hearing that begins at 9:30 a.m.
The Coalition to Protect Burke Lakefront Airport, Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership and the Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association collected more than 1,000 signatures from Ohioans in Cleveland over Labor Day urging officials to keep Burke Lakefront Airport open. This is in addition to more than 50 Cleveland-area business, education and civic leaders who urged the City Council to protect the airport in a letter sent in August.
Additionally, multiple coalitions, businesses, organizations and elected officials with a deep understanding of the airport’s value as it relates to aviation safety and access, economic development, business and workforce growth and government investment in infrastructure have all come out in support of BKL. The size and significance of the coalition demonstrates that the irreplaceable role of BKL is well understood by a large, growing group of stakeholders with a formidable grasp of an airport’s value as it relates to aviation safety and access, economic development, business and workforce growth and government investment in federal infrastructure.
“The community signatures show the deep support for keeping Burke Lakefront Airport open,” said Christian Pancake, ORBAA Board Member. “These are not just numbers — they represent families, workers, business owners, and visitors who understand what Burke Lakefront Airport means to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. We’re grateful for this outpouring of support and will continue advocating for the airport’s future.”
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb wants to shutter the airport in favor of redeveloping the site as non-revenue-generating parkland.
Closing the airport would drain the city’s economy of more than $195 million in direct annual economic activity while also forcing the cancellation of the Cleveland National Air Show.
Those testifying at today’s hearing included:
- Cleveland-based Aitheras Aviation Group, which needs BKL to continue its flights providing urgent organ transport and medivac/air ambulance services, including to the city’s world-class medical clinics
- Andrew Ferguson, founder and CEO of Argonaut and the Davis Aerospace & Maritime School that uses Burke Lakefront Airport to train students for careers in aerospace and aviation
- The Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association (ORBAA) which will speak to BKL’s importance to Northeast Ohio’s economy
- Signature Aviation, which has a hub and employees at Burke Lakefront Airport that service aircraft and enable businesses to easily access Cleveland.
A recent study by the Ohio Department of Transportation concluded that BKL sustains 664 jobs, serves as a vital reliever airfield for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), provides essential connectivity for Northeast Ohio businesses, and operates as an indispensable training ground for aviation professionals, at a time when the nation faces a critical aviation workforce shortage.
More information is available at SaveBurkeLakefront.org.
About ORBAA
The Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association is a not-for-profit organization which promotes business aviation training and education, workforce development, and advocacy within the state of Ohio. ORBAA offers a collective interest that supports and protects Ohio airports, airspace, operators, and other aviation-related business interests.
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