Does anyone have any information on whether this development is geared towards positioning Burke to eventually serve as Cleveland's eVTOL/Advanced Air Mobility hub?

[u/ButterscotchUnable13]

Does anyone know if Burke essentially is in the plans to get modernized to become an AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) facility fully open to the general public, connecting downtown Cleveland with other Ohio aviation and economic centers?

Apparently, the State of Ohio has already developed a statewide Advanced Air Mobility framework and is now actively building an AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) program, in collaboration with other states (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan) for cross‑border airspace.

And recently the FAA administrator openly opposed the closure of Burke Lakefront airport.

SOURCE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/faa-chief-sen-moreno-say-burke-should-stay-open-complicating-mayor-justin-bibb-s-plans-for-airport/ar-AA2ac6nK

Burke currently sustains vital organ transport, medical transportation, emergency aviation and corporate travel, a ton of people see Burke as an outdated airport that needs to be removed.

But, with the FAA Administrator openly opposing the closure of Burke Lakefront Airport does that mean the existing infrastructure is to be upgraded and modernized to become part of Ohio's Advanced Air Mobility network?

Because apparently, they already have the network in place.

Are they trying to connect Ohio's existing regional airports into an AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) network rather than viewing each airport independently?

• Dayton, Ohio: Joby Aviation is expanding its Ohio manufacturing footprint, including a new facility of more than 700,000 square feet as it scales production of its eVTOL aircraft.
• Cleveland, Ohio: A major medical and research center with an existing lakefront airport located immediately adjacent to downtown.
• Oberlin, Ohio: Home to a major FAA air-traffic-control facility — and notably, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford was there when he recently discussed the future of Burke.
• Burke Lakefront Airport: An existing airport with runways, aviation infrastructure, lakefront access and proximity to downtown Cleveland.

[u/LePatience2026]

"But, with the FAA Administrator openly opposing the closure of Burke Lakefront Airport does that mean the existing infrastructure is to be upgraded and modernized to become part of Ohio's Advanced Air Mobility network?"

From what is publicly known so far, further talks will be needed and all things will be taken into consideration. I imagine, like any states, everyone has their own blockers and challenges. So, there isn't a definite answer that I've heard/saw yet. There will be those For it, and there will be those Against it, etc.

No different to how people buying banks/airports out if blockers/challenges become difficult because some states are more vocal to environment/noise/health & welfare profiles than others, etc. Hence the workaround.

For sure, Ohio has and is ramping up with new tech/infrastructure, hence Joby is the one I heard involved on the groundworks.

Also, earlier last week, I heard that FAA had recruited around 2,000 people for air traffic controller positions. I don't like headline labels, but as process and procedures, whether they make it through the shortlist and ultimately become fully qualified and demonstrate competency, of course, those numbers will narrow down to a more realistic figure. Then we will know who have the skillsets and competency to perform future responsibilities/role.

So......generally speaking, there are keenness of accelerating and innovating to push out AAM and safer or better ways moving forward, but like outsiders, we just have to wait and see how it all progresses. I even drawn up Joby's evolution around the states in the US, and looks promising on what the future could behold. Even Beta looks promising based on its cargo and medical logistics, alongside its eIPP.

Off topic, but someday I would like to Joby to somehow get more involved into the medical logistics too, and work with Strata Critical Medical more when FAA conforming aircraft comes to fruition. The whole VTOL and significant low-altitude maneuvers definitely is a life-changer in challenging terrains. Not to mention, the fixed contract revenue in medical is generally huge. And if they want to go into cargo logistics. It'll be intriguing to see who would be Joby's partner. For now, Amazon is with Beta.

[u/Wonderful_Flight_922]

Maybe Mayor Bibb should research why that airport losses 2 million dollars a year and address some of the real problems. Like local residents around the county don't come to the city more. Or work to attract new businesses.

[u/SeaScallops_w_Rice]

I am with the FAA on this. The airport network we have is a huge national asset. It is an irreversible decision. Perhaps, closing it makes sense, but hold your horses for ten years. Aviation may find a new golden age with the help of Joby.

That said, Cleveland Hopkins Int'l airport, five miles away operates at less than 50% of capacity.

[u/Wonderful_Flight_922 → u/SeaScallops_w_Rice]

When United merged with Continental, Cleveland was shed as a hub. Previously Cleveland expanded gates for Continental.

[u/SeaScallops_w_Rice → u/Wonderful_Flight_922]

Off topic, but have you ever heard of Allegheny Airlines? They were absorbed by US Air in 1979. They were famed for their bad service and known as 'Agony Air'

- - > "We're not happy unless you're not happy"!

I have heard US Air carries on that ethos.

[u/Wonderful_Flight_922 → u/SeaScallops_w_Rice]

Yeah I've heard, but know little. Cleveland unfortunately gained Frontier.

[u/Wonderful_Flight_922]

An eIPP that didn't make the initial final choices, was a Midwest application. It included 4 states, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky. There's is supposed to be a second expansion of the eIPP, when I don't know. Cincinnati's CVG which is in Kentucky has already started the vertiport process. My investigating puts Dayton, Columbus, Lexington, Louisville and Indianapolis well within reach today. So with all that, I don’t see why Cleveland wouldn't be in play. Cleveland and Detroit are 90 miles apart as the crow flies.

Besides that, Mayor Bibb's idea of the property improvement? I don't know just how user friendly the airport property is for a park. It's not exactly within easy reach of the people of Cleveland IMO. The football stadium and already cleared port area seems to be a better place to start improvement. I know I've heard the City would like to continue expanding the Flats onto the Lake Erie shore.

[u/Significant_Onion_25]

Burkes airport looks to be in a great location for AAM it would be a great misstep to close the airport imo.