Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator Bryan Bedford has opposed efforts to close Cleveland Burke Lakefront, a general aviation airport, saying the agency is focusing on expanding aviation facilities rather than closing existing ones. Bedford's comments come as Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb pushes to close the airport, citing annual losses of USD1.7 million and proposing redevelopment of the lakefront site.

Two Republican Ohio senators have also indicated they would not support congressional intervention to facilitate the closure, while opposition to the proposal is growing among local businesses and community groups. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) backed Bedford's and the senators' comments, citing an Ohio Department of Transportation study that found the airport generates USD195 million in annual direct economic activity, supports 664 jobs, and serves as a reliever airport for Cleveland Hopkins.