CLE Celebrates 90th Anniversary

July 1, 2015

Travel & Destinations

A journey 90 years in the making!

July 1st marks the 90th Anniversary of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Members of the William R. Hopkins family will join for a celebratory ceremony on July 1st at 11am. 

During this ceremony, we’ll have our new exhibit open for all to see. This exhibit, Cleveland Legacy, 90 Years of Flight displays the rich history of CLE and its contribution to the aviation industry.  

CLE will also unveil its first trading card as part of the North American Airport Collectors Series, a new initiative of the Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA).  The North American Airport Collectors Series offers aviation enthusiasts a new collectible opportunity to commemorate their travels through U.S. and Canadian airports.  CLE is the 38th airport to participate in this program.

In addition to our ceremony, exhibit, music and cake cutting, CLE will also pass out cookies to passengers in the terminal.  Airlines will join us in celebration by having special events and fanfare for passengers throughout the day!

Historical facts about CLE:

  • Was the 1st municipally owned airport when opened on July 1st, 1925
  • Had the first air traffic control tower in 1930
  • Had the first ground to air radio system in 1930
  • Had the first runway lighting system in 1930
  • Had the first airport to downtown rail line in 1968
  • Was re-named in 1951 to honor its founder, William R. Hopkins

For more information and pictures of the airport over the years, please click here