Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

What Cleveland Hopkins International Airport does

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is Ohio's busiest commercial-service airport and the 47th busiest in the United States, serving 10,003,833 passengers in 2025 across 115+ daily departures to roughly 40 nonstop destinations. Operated by the City of Cleveland's Department of Port Control since its founding in 1925 as the country's first municipal airport, CLE offers a mix of core aeronautical services (runway operations, runway-controlled landings, terminal and gate utilization) and passenger amenities including TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, biometric Touchless ID, parking reservation systems, shuttle tracking via Bus Genius, Jabbrrbox private workspaces, and a range of retail and dining concessions managed under Fraport.

The airport generates revenue through six core streams: airline landing fees, terminal and building rentals, passenger facility charges ($4.50 per enplanement), parking and ground transportation (with rates of $15–$37 per day depending on lot), concession revenue share, and advertising and sponsorship partnerships. End customers split between consumer travelers (predominantly Northeast Ohio residents, with over 70% regional market capture) and B2B enterprise relationships with 11 passenger and 4 cargo carriers, including Air Canada, Aer Lingus, Alaska, American, Avelo, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.

Operationally, the airport is undergoing a multi-year Terminal Modernization Development Program (CLEvolution) with $175 million in initial approved investment, supplemented by infrastructure projects such as the recently completed $4.8 million Central Security Checkpoint Expansion. Sustainability and passenger-experience initiatives including composting partnerships, Airport Carbon Accreditation, therapy dog programs, and a digital FlyMyAirport booking platform round out the operating profile. CLE does not own or operate airline service itself; it provides the regulated infrastructure and amenity layer that the airline ecosystem sells against.

Name

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Legal name

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Website

https://clevelandairport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is Ohio's busiest airport, serving over 10 million passengers annually through 11 passenger airlines to 40+ nonstop destinations, operated by the City of Cleveland's Department of Port Control.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Airport Operations

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Airport Ground Transport Terminals (Rail/Bus/Coach) (THAIALAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Airport Inter-Terminal & Landside Circulator Shuttles (THAIAFAI)

Keywords

• Commercial airport operations
• Passenger terminal services
• Airline ground services
• Airport parking facilities
• Air travel infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Landing Fees: Fees charged to airlines for landing aircraft at the airport, based on aircraft weight and type. These fees are regulated and represent a primary revenue stream for airport operations.
2. Parking and Ground Transportation: Revenue from on-site parking facilities including Smart Garage, valet, and surface lots, as well as ground transportation operators including rental cars, taxis, and rideshares.
3. Concession Revenues: Revenue share from retail shops, restaurants, and services operated by concessionaires including Fraport throughout the terminal. Includes percentage of sales, minimum guarantees, and rent.
4. Terminal and Building Rentals: Rent paid by airlines for ticket counter space, offices, lounge areas, and other terminal facilities. Also includes cargo facility rentals.
5. Passenger Facility Charge (PFC): Federally authorized $4.50 per passenger fee collected by airlines to fund airport capital improvements including the Terminal Modernization Development Program.
6. Advertising and Sponsorships: Revenue from advertising displays throughout the terminal and sponsorship agreements with partners including Kent State University and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) operates a public-use commercial airport serving Northeast Ohio. The airport provides passenger terminal facilities, runways and airside operations, aircraft parking and gate services, centralized security screening, public parking and valet, ground transportation coordination, and concessions. It functions as the primary air travel gateway for the Cleveland metropolitan area, serving scheduled passenger airlines, cargo carriers, and general aviation.

Product overview

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) operates as Ohio's busiest airport serving over 10 million passengers annually with 11 passenger airlines and 130+ daily departures to 40+ nonstop destinations. The airport offers a comprehensive portfolio of travel services centered around its core terminal operations and security checkpoint facilities, complemented by parking services (Smart Garage, multiple lots, valet), ground transportation coordination, and accessibility accommodations. The Hopkins Hospitality initiative enhances the passenger experience through therapy dogs, airport ambassadors, hidden disability support, and educational programs. CLE also provides private workspaces (Jabbrrbox), real-time shuttle tracking (Bus Genius), and sustainability programs including composting partnerships. The airport's Terminal Modernization Development Program (CLEvolution) represents a major multi-year development initiative for facility upgrades.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CLEvolution: The Campaign to Transform Cleveland Hopkins International Airport - a multi-year terminal modernization development program launched in 2025
• Hopkins Hospitality
• The Shops at CLE
• CLE Connection

Products and services

• Airport Terminal Operations and Flight Services
• Parking Services
• Curbside Valet Parking
• Jabbrrbox Private Workspaces
• Hopkins Hangout Guest Pass
• Airport Tours and Education Programs
• The Shops at CLE Concessions Program
• Advertising and Media Sales

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,003,833 passengers served in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• United AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Major airline partner expanding CLE service with new year-round nonstop to Las Vegas (Sept 24, 2026) and seasonal Miami service (Dec 3, 2026). United operates hub-level presence with multiple daily departures.
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)coreTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2026TSA partners with CLE for security checkpoint operations, deploying technologies including TSA PreCheck Touchless ID (facial comparison biometric verification), CLEAR integration, and TSA PreCheck dedicated lanes. TSA has opened enrollment locations at CLE for Trusted Traveler programs.
• CLEARcoreTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2026CLEAR operates biometric identity verification kiosks at CLE checkpoints, enabling expedited security screening for enrolled members. CLEAR enrollment locations at CLE open daily 6AM-8PM ET for new enrollments and renewals.
• Avelo AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026New airline entry bringing affordable ultra-low-cost service to Cleveland with twice-weekly flights to Concord, NC and New Haven, CT starting June 19, 2026. 11th airline to serve CLE.
• Cleveland CavaliersstrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 November 2025Multi-year partnership making CLE the Official Airport of Cleveland Cavaliers. Includes sponsorship activations at games, promotional content, and community engagement initiatives.
• Paslay GroupstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 22 October 2025Nation's premier airport development consultancy providing Executive Program Management services for Terminal Modernization Development Program (TMDP) planning and implementation.
• Feghali Brothers ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 22 October 2025Primary contractor for Central Security Checkpoint Expansion Project completed May 2026. $4.8M project doubled screening lanes and queueing space.
• Kent State UniversitystrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 September 2025Multi-year sponsorship partnership including athletics sponsorship. Kent State College of Aviation and AAAE student chapter actively engaged in airport tours and career development programs.
• Rust Belt RiderscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Cleveland-based composting cooperative that collects organic waste from airport concessionaires and processes it into nutrient-rich compost supporting local soil health and circular economy. Composted 39,000+ pounds of food waste in 2025.
• Guiding Eyes for the BlindminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Therapy dog training organization. Frodo, a Lab trained by Guiding Eyes, became certified therapy dog and joined Hopkins Hounds program to comfort travelers at CLE.
• Ozanne Construction CompanycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Contractor for restroom reconfiguration near Central Checkpoint ($1.3M project). Completed late 2025 with direct ticketing-level access and first adult changing station at CLE.
• Bus GeniuscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Real-time shuttle tracking technology provider enabling CLE guests to track airport shuttle locations and estimated pickup times. Data supports operational improvements and ridership tracking.
• Special Olympics OhiominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Charitable partner receiving airport support through donations and participation in special events. CLE actively engages in community charitable giving programs.
• USOminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Charitable partner supporting military members and families. CLE participates in USO programs and community outreach supporting service members.
• USDA Wildlife ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025United States Department of Agriculture program contracted by CLE to control wildlife at the airport and eliminate aircraft-wildlife strikes that could compromise safety or damage aircraft.
• Greater Cleveland Film CommissionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Coordinates film and commercial production requests at CLE. Production Coordinator Jason Drake facilitates shoot permits and location access for TV, movie, and commercial productions.
• FraportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Major concession management partner operating 27+ food and beverage and retail locations throughout CLE terminal. Fraport manages The Shops at CLE, coordinating dining, shopping, and services for airport guests.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pittsburgh International Airport: Similar-sized Midwestern hub competing for overlapping Pennsylvania/Ohio passenger leakage. Both airports compete for connecting traffic, O&D passengers, and airline route decisions in the Ohio Valley corridor.
• Indianapolis International Airport: Comparable-size Midwest airport serving a similar metro catchment. Competes for airline service, O&D passengers, and operates under a similar municipal authority structure.
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport: Regional competitor in Ohio Valley. Historically a Delta hub that has rebuilt as an origin-destination airport with similar scale, airline mix, and modernization profile to CLE.
• Buffalo Niagara International Airport: Similar-size Great Lakes regional airport. Operates with comparable airline mix, municipal ownership, and competes for cross-border (Canadian) and Northeast U.S. traffic.
• Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport: Mid-size Midwest airport serving a similar metropolitan area. Competes for airline service, leisure travelers, and operates a comparable non-hub passenger mix.
• Kansas City International Airport: Newly rebuilt Midwestern airport (MCI terminal opened 2023) of similar scale, providing a benchmark for terminal modernization ROI and passenger experience at comparable volume.
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport: Similar-size mid-tier U.S. airport authority with comparable passenger volumes (~10-13M). Operates with a similar mix of legacy, low-cost, and international carriers in a regional catchment.

Broad incumbents

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport: Larger regional airport (Delta hub) that competes with CLE for Ohio-bound passengers and airline capacity. Operates similar terminal, parking, and concession infrastructure at greater scale.

Regional players

• Columbus John Glenn International Airport: Ohio's second-busiest airport and direct in-state competitor. Both airports compete for Ohio-based travelers, airline capacity, and share of the central Ohio passenger market.
• Akron-Canton Airport: Smaller Ohio airport that draws some NE Ohio passengers away from CLE. Operates ultra-low-cost carrier (Allegiant) service targeting leisure passengers from the same catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/goingplacescle
• Facebookfacebook.com/CLEairport
• Instagraminstagram.com/cleairport

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cleveland Hopkins International Airport