CINCINNATI –The public is invited to review and comment on recommended updates to the Lunken Airport Layout Plan tomorrow, Tuesday, March 14, in the terminal conference room at 262 Wilmer Ave.

Airport management will be available to answer questions during the open house, which runs 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free parking is available in the lot across from the terminal. An additional open house was held Thursday, March 9.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires the City to periodically update its Airport Layout Plan, which serves as a planning tool that depicts both existing facilities and potential development. The airport, which began operations in1929, serves corporate and general aviation customers.

Following are the primary recommendations:

• Decommission the shorter parallel runway (21R/3L):  This will improve safety by reducing the possibility of runway incursions (aircraft inadvertently taxiing onto an active runway), and free-up development space for corporate and general aviation users. The benefit of maintaining the runway is no longer justified as most flight training activity has moved to Clermont County and other airports.
• Build a new taxiway parallel to the main runway (21L/3R) with high speed exits:  With the closure of the other runway, this is necessary to allow smaller aircraft to exit the runway sooner and not delay the landing of faster aircraft.  It will also improve safety by further reducing the possibility of runway incursions.
• Extend the main runway (21L/3R) 800 feet to the southwest:  The extension will improve safety by providing more room to stop in the event of an aborted takeoff for typical operations, and provide additional range to corporate users by allowing increased fuel loads.
• Relocate the aircraft control tower to a more central location for better runway visibility, enhancing safety.

The FAA must approve the plan, which was developed in consultation with Woolpert, a national architecture, engineering and geospatial firm based in Dayton, Ohio. Once approved, projects selected for development as part of the plan will be paid for primarily with FAA grants.

The Lunken Airport Oversight and Advisory Board (LAOAB), created by Cincinnati City Council to represent neighborhood and stakeholder concerns, has approved the updates

“The LAOAB supports the Airport Layout Plan Update because it will improve airport safety and will not impact the public’s use of or alter the Lunken Trail, playfields, recreation center or Reeves Golf Course,” said Alex Linser, chair of the LAOAB.

“Consistent with City policy, Lunken’s plan does not seek airline service or new commercial charter service,” Linser added. “The plan incorporates a forecast of very modest growth in future operations and recognizes Lunken’s primary role as a corporate and general aviation facility. The update will not in any way change the City’s policy to not attract scheduled commercial carriers.”

For information about Lunken Airport, visit http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/lunken-airport/