Cleveland National Air Show

Burke Terminal Burke Lakefront Airport has served Cleveland for more than 50 years.

The idea of a lakefront airport in Cleveland was conceived of during the Great Lakes Exposition of 1936. World War II delayed plans for its construction, and it was not until 1947 that the airport actually opened. It was modest beginning: In its first months of operation, the small 3,600-foot dirt runway logged only 202 flights.

Today, a thriving Burke Lakefront Airport averages nearly 85,000 takeoffs and landings a year. A federally certified, full-service commercial airport, it offers two parallel runways, terminal facilities with five gates, ticket counters with passenger waiting areas, parking and convenient access. Its longest runway, 6,200-feet, is configured and instrumented to accommodate most large transport aircraft. Two full-service, fixed-based aircraft facilities call Burke Lakefront Airport home, providing aircraft fueling, maintenance and other support services. Tenants also include an executive air charter service, a weather forecasting service and air and ground freight mobilizers.

Owned and operated by the City of Cleveland's Department of Port Control, Burke supports the city with full crash and fire rescue and emergency medical services. City personnel, in turn provide the manpower for field and maintenance, snow removal, custodial services, airport operations and other airport functions.

Burke Lakefront Airport is the largest of five Federal Aviation Administration-designated reliever airports for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Long term lease agreements with scheduled airlines at Hopkins augment Burke's revenues, permitting its operation at no cost to taxpayers.

In addition to the critical role it plays in Greater Cleveland's air-transportation system, Burke hosts at least two annual summer events. Each year thousands of Clevelanders and visitors attend the Air Show and the Grand Prix of Cleveland.

Since August 1999, Burke has been home to the International Women's Air & Space Musuem. Exhibits can be seen within the concourse areas. Each year IWASM hosts an annual luncheon the Friday before Air Show Weekend.