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Perfect Storm
2010 may go down as the year of the perfect storm, prompting Northeast Ohioans to become fans of CLE in order to get away to warmer destinations.
At the beginning of February, Forbes Magazine found Cleveland to be America’s Worst Winter Weather City. Typically, we laugh off these rankings as more New York propaganda. Surely, cities such as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Detroit, and Pittsburgh should have ranked higher.
Then came the snow. And by end of February, the resolve of Northeast Ohioans in discrediting the ranking wasn’t as strong. Records were broken in Akron-Canton (37.2 inches) and Youngstown (36.3 inches). Cleveland and Toledo had the second snowiest at 31.7 inches and 23.9 inches respectively.
This might explain why more than 16,000 residents entered the CLE Facebook promotion in a matter of weeks. And like the snow in February, the numbers continue to rise. Everyone who becomes a fan and enters the sweepstakes by March 31, 2010 will receive a $100 Vacation Coupon from Continental Airlines Vacations. And one lucky Clevelander will win a three-night vacation for two people to Orlando, Las Vegas, or Cancun.
Don’t be the last person in Northeast Ohio left out in the cold, go to www.facebook.com/CLEairport to register.
CLE Recognized as Most Improved in Quality
Every industry has them. For actors, it’s the Academy Awards. For automobiles, it’s JD Powers. And for airports, it’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. In 2010, CLE was on top of the podium, awarded the “Best Improvement Award” in North America based on passenger surveys distributed by the Airports Council International (ACI).
“We are honored to receive this award from ACI as it recognizes all of our hard work and effort in providing our customers with the best travel experience,” said Airport Director Ricky Smith. “Improvements such as the new AIRMALL, which is now more than 50 percent complete, and new parking options such as Valet Parking, are apparently hitting home with travelers.”
The ASQ ranking is formulated from the results of more than 275,000 questionnaires completed by passengers at 118 participating airports worldwide. Survey respondents are asked to rank over 30 aspects of service at the airport. The surveys are performed on a monthly basis and reported quarterly by ASQ.
Creating an Aerotropolis
CLE contributes an estimated $3.5 billion to the regional economy. However, this number could grow exponentially if the concept of creating an aerotropolis becomes a reality.
What is an aerotropolis you ask? Well, it’s similar to a metropolis, the difference being that the development is centered around an airport instead of a city. CLE would function as a central business zone, and commercial and manufacturing companies, typically aviation-related, would radiate around it.
Last month, stakeholder meetings were held to discuss the idea — with the cities of Berea, Brookpark, Cleveland, Olmsted Falls, and Parma participating in the dialog. The entire process is being spearheaded by the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University (CSU).
“Aerotropolises are beginning to emerge around airports across the country, in part because of the economic global reach airports have,” said Airport Director Ricky Smith. “This is why it’s extremely important that we hear from our stakeholders as we begin to explore the idea of an aerotropolis here.”
The CSU team has already looked at existing aerotropolises, as well as airports comparable to CLE that are studying the same idea. It is a relatively new idea in the United States as just six airports have formed aerotropolis districts — Detroit, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Memphis,
Beer and Burritos
If a bite of Mexican sounds good before going to Mexico, or if you could use a pint of local flavor after your international trip, you will be pleased with the latest restaurants opening in CLE’s AIRMALL™.
Currito: Burritos Without Borders, located in the Main Terminal, opened in January. While Mexican is your first thought, this fresh dining spot can create a burrito to the flavor of almost any region of the world, including Mediterranean, American, and Asian.
Great Lakes Brewing Company also moved into a larger spot on Concourse C, so now you can drink a beer without bumping elbows with fellow travelers. The menu is very similar to the W. 25th Street location — you can order the Stilton Cheddar Ale Soup, the Roasted Beet Salad, or even the Lake Erie Submarine Sandwich.
AIRMALL is a fresh approach to airport concessions. It brings together well-known national brands along with high-quality local concepts to provide air travelers the best retail, food, and beverage offerings. Equally as important, the merchants operating in the AIRMALL must sell at or below regular mall prices found elsewhere.
When CLE’s AIRMALL is finished this year, it will have nearly double the number of food and retail offerings, occupying 76,000 square feet. It will also double the current participation rate of local and minority-owned companies, double the number of concession jobs, and double retail sales figures over the next decade.
Director's Message
Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) is a vital asset for our region. It provides a convenient hub for corporate travel including the many professional sports franchises. It offers a vital connection for our growing world-class health care organizations, including the well-publicized critical care transport service offered by Cleveland Clinic. And it removes air traffic congestion at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), making Cleveland an attractive and efficient destination for airline carriers. This is a crucial benefit to the Continental Airlines hub at CLE.
Burke’s infrastructure can accommodate a wide range of aircraft. Advanced landing systems combined with low operating costs and close proximity to the city make Burke the first choice among corporate, cargo, and medical flight operations. Annually, these types of aircraft groups make nearly 70,000 takeoffs and landings at the airport.
Burke’s Master Plan is in the final stage of approval by the FAA. Once approved, additional infrastructure and operational improvements will be made, incorporating advanced aviation technology to better serve private jet operators.
Beyond the runway, private-public redevelopment of the Lakefront is planned. It includes the creation of retail shops, parking, restaurants, residential, and office space — capitalizing on BKL’s premier location and proximity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. As a first step, plans for redeveloping the Aviation High School site for the MCPc headquarters have begun. MCPc is the 4th fastest growing technology provider in the nation. The company is quickly becoming a major force in the IT industry, and it is among a short list of technology firms that are transforming the face of the Northeast Ohio economy. And while my staff is typically more interested in monitoring Burke’s airspace, they have recently turned their attention to Burke’s cyberspace — creating a new web site. Pilots and flight operation professionals will find important information at their fingertips. And the community will be able to get regular updates about redevelopment efforts that are underway. So today, Burke is easy to navigate, whether you are in the air or online.
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