Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) make up the Cleveland Airport System, which is owned and operated by the City of Cleveland. The system’s day-to-day operations are not paid for through the City's General Fund or local taxpayer dollars.
Instead, Cleveland Airport System operates through a separate enterprise fund supported primarily by revenue generated through airport operations. That includes airline rates and charges, parking, concessions, rental cars, tenant leases and other airport-related revenue.
In other words, the airport system operates much like a business. Airport revenue supports the cost of running the system and investing in its future.
What Does It Mean to Be a Residual Airport?
CLE operates under a residual agreement with its airline partners. After other airport revenue is applied, airline rates and charges are set to cover the airport system's remaining financial requirements.
This structure allows CLE to operate as a financially self-sustaining airport while maintaining the facilities, services and daily operations needed to serve millions of passengers each year.
CLE's financial model is designed to cover the airport's costs, not generate a profit for unrelated City purposes.
How Are Airport Improvements Funded?
Major airport improvements may be funded through a combination of airport revenue, airline rates and charges, federal grants, passenger facility charges and bond proceeds.
Each funding source has specific requirements governing how those dollars can be used. CLE carefully plans how these resources are invested to balance current operational needs with long-term improvements to the airport and passenger experience.
That includes planning for the future through CLEvolution, the airport's broader modernization effort.
Can Airport Revenue Be Used for Other City Expenses?
Airport-generated revenue is restricted to permitted airport purposes and cannot simply be redirected to unrelated City operations.
The City may be reimbursed for services it provides to CLE, but those expenses must be directly connected to airport operations.
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding how CLE is funded helps explain how many of the decisions required to operate and improve the airport are made.
From maintaining airport facilities and supporting daily operations to developing air service and investing in major improvements, CLE must carefully manage its resources while meeting the needs of passengers, airline partners and the Northeast Ohio region.
CLE is committed to responsible stewardship of airport resources while continuing to invest in a safe, efficient and competitive airport for the future.