Ohio has 8 commercial airports serving over 19.4 million passengers annually. Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) is the state's busiest airport with 10.2 million passengers in 2024, followed by John Glenn Columbus International (CMH) with 9.2 million, offering extensive domestic and international routes connecting Ohio to major hubs worldwide.
Ohio's major airports connect passengers to destinations across the United States and internationally. From Cleveland's largest hub to specialized cargo facilities, these airports serve millions of travelers each year with modern amenities and expanding route networks.
📍 Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio's largest and busiest airport, serving over 10.2 million passengers in 2024. The 46th busiest airport in the United States, located 9 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland.
📍 Columbus, Ohio
Ohio's second-largest airport with record-breaking passenger numbers in 10 of 12 months in 2024. Located 6 miles east of downtown Columbus.
📍 Hebron, Kentucky (serves Cincinnati, OH)
Primary airport for Cincinnati region serving 9.2 million passengers in 2024. Major cargo hub ranked 6th largest in North America.
📍 Green, Ohio (Summit County)
Small-hub airport serving Summit and Stark counties with 28% more seats in 2024-2025 and new crew base opening.
📍 Dayton, Ohio (Montgomery County)
Third busiest Ohio airport serving Dayton and Springfield with growing passenger traffic, 7% increase in first half of 2024.
📍 Swanton/Monclova, Ohio (Lucas County)
Civil-military airport serving Northwest Ohio with $1 million FAA grant awarded in 2024 for new route development.
📍 Columbus, Ohio
Cargo-focused airport 10 miles south of downtown Columbus, managed by Columbus Regional Airport Authority alongside CMH and Bolton Field.
📍 Vienna Township, Ohio (Trumbull County)
Public and military airport working to restore commercial service. Currently serves private, charter, and military aircraft with new funding.
| Airport Name | Code | 2024 Passengers | Growth Rate | Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Hopkins International | CLE | 10,173,861 | +3.0% | 41 |
| John Glenn Columbus International | CMH | 9,200,000 | +6.7% | 53 |
| Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Intl | CVG | 9,200,000 | +5.4% | 50+ |
| Akron-Canton Regional | CAK | Growing | +28% seats | 24 |
| James M. Cox Dayton International | DAY | ~629,000 | +7.0% (H1) | 11 |
| Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express | TOL | Limited Service | N/A | 4+ |
| Rickenbacker International | LCK | Cargo Focus | N/A | N/A |
| Youngstown-Warren Regional | YNG | No Commercial | N/A | N/A |
All major Ohio commercial airports offer TSA PreCheck lanes for expedited security screening. Enrollment is available at airports and retail locations throughout Ohio. Starting May 1, 2025, a REAL ID or acceptable form of ID (such as a passport) is required for enrollment.
| Airport | TSA PreCheck | Checkpoints | Enrollment Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) | YES | FIS, North, Central, South | YES |
| John Glenn Columbus (CMH) | YES | Main B, Main C, Terminal A | YES |
| Cincinnati/N. Kentucky (CVG) | YES | All checkpoints | YES |
| James M. Cox Dayton (DAY) | YES | Main Checkpoint | Pop-up |
| Akron-Canton (CAK) | YES | Main Checkpoint | Pop-up |
| Toledo Express (TOL) | YES | Checkpoint 1 | Pop-up |
| Rickenbacker (LCK) | YES | Main Checkpoint | N/A |
| Youngstown-Warren (YNG) | N/A | No Commercial Service | N/A |
Ohio has 124 general aviation airports and 176 total public-use airports serving private aircraft, flight training, corporate aviation, and specialty operations throughout the state. These airports provide vital transportation links for business travelers, medical flights, recreational pilots, and island communities.
These island airports provide vital transportation links for residents and tourists to Ohio's Lake Erie Islands, especially during the peak summer tourist season.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the busiest airport in Ohio, serving 10,173,861 passengers in 2024, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. This milestone marked the first time since 2019 that CLE exceeded 10 million passengers, despite falling slightly short of its forecast of 10.25 million due to hurricanes, IT outages, and a 66% reduction in Spirit Airlines' Cleveland capacity.
The airport is the 46th busiest in the United States and offers 41 non-stop destinations across 5 countries through 10 different airlines. June 2024 was a record month with 987,508 passengers, the highest monthly total since August 2008. A significant highlight was Frontier Airlines establishing a CLE Crew Base in March 2024, resulting in a 32% boost in passenger activity and overtaking United for the #1 spot in passengers carried monthly in June 2024.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is the second-busiest with 9.2 million passengers in 2024 (6.7% increase), experiencing record-breaking traffic in 10 of 12 months.
Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) offers the most international options within Ohio proper. Aer Lingus provides year-round flights to Dublin, Ireland (3,454 miles, approximately 7 hours), making it the longest flight from any Ohio airport. Air Canada operates year-round service to Toronto (YYZ) and seasonal flights to Montreal (YUL). United and Frontier Airlines offer year-round and seasonal flights to Cancún, Mexico. Frontier Airlines also operates seasonal Caribbean flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU).
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), while technically located in Hebron, Kentucky, serves the Greater Cincinnati Ohio region and is the primary international gateway for southwestern Ohio. The airport offers over 50 non-stop destinations including international hubs like London, England and Paris, France. In 2024, CVG served a record 9.2 million passengers (5.4% increase from 8.7M in 2023), the most in the airport's 78-year history. The airport ranks as the 6th largest cargo airport in North America.
All other Ohio commercial airports (CMH, DAY, CAK, TOL) focus primarily on domestic routes to major U.S. hubs, with connections available to international destinations through partner airlines.
Ohio has a total of 176 public-use airports to serve passengers and aircraft operations throughout the state. This includes 8 commercial airports offering year-round or seasonal commercial passenger flights, and 124 general aviation airports serving private aircraft, corporate aviation, flight training, and specialty operations.
Commercial airports include: Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE), John Glenn Columbus International (CMH), James M. Cox Dayton International (DAY), Akron-Canton Regional (CAK), Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express (TOL), Rickenbacker International (LCK) which primarily focuses on cargo operations, and Youngstown-Warren Regional (YNG) which received primary airport designation in 2024 with $1 million in annual funding but currently has no commercial passenger service since Allegiant Air ceased operations in January 2018.
General aviation airports serve diverse purposes including corporate aviation (Burke Lakefront in Cleveland, Ohio State University Airport in Columbus), island transportation (Put-In-Bay, Middle Bass Island, Kelleys Island airports in Lake Erie), flight training facilities, and regional business travel. Notable general aviation airports include Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Field (LUK), Toledo Executive Airport (TDZ), and Bolton Field (TZR) in Columbus.
Cincinnati area residents also have convenient access to CVG Airport, located just across the state border in Northern Kentucky at 2939 Terminal Drive, Hebron, KY.
Columbus (CMH) offers the best on-site parking rates in Ohio with the Green Lot at just $5 per day ($2 for the first hour, then $1 for each additional hour). The Red and Green shuttle lots also cost $5 per day. Other on-site options include the Blue Lot at $7/day (uncovered) or $9/day (covered), Walking Lot at $13/day, Long-Term Garage at $20/day, and Short-Term Garage with a $30 daily maximum. Valet parking is available for $16 for the first hour or $30 for 24 hours. Off-site parking at CMH starts at $3.50 per day with complimentary shuttle service (Rightway Parking), while The Parking Spot charges $45.38 for one week.
Cleveland (CLE) parking rates increased on January 1, 2024. On-site parking ranges from $16-$35 per day. The Brown Lot is the most economical at $16 per day with shuttle service. The Orange Lot costs $18/day, Red and Blue surface lots are $21/day (credit card only), and the Smart Parking Garage is $23/day (first 30 minutes free). Valet parking is $35/day. Off-site options near CLE start as low as $3.95 per day with free shuttle service from providers like 2 Birds Shuttle and Detail located at 4226 W 150th St, Cleveland.
Money-saving tips: Both airports offer FREE cell phone lots for picking up arriving passengers. CMH has FREE EV charging in the Long-Term Garage, Blue Lot, and Walking Lot, while CLE offers EV charging in the Red Lot. Always compare off-site parking rates when booking in advance, as they can save you 50-70% compared to on-site options. Consider using public transit for downtown trips - CMH's COTA AirConnect bus line 7 is only $2.00 regular fare ($2.75 during rush hours) and takes 10-15 minutes to reach downtown Columbus.
Note that as of January 2, 2024, Cleveland's secondary Cell Phone Lot off Hotel Road behind the Sheraton closed. The Cell Phone Lot off SR 237 remains open.
At Cleveland Hopkins (CLE): In a major shift in 2024, Frontier Airlines overtook United for the #1 spot in passengers carried monthly in June 2024. For the full year 2024, United Airlines offered over 3 million seats, Frontier Airlines nearly 2.93 million seats, and American Airlines over 2.31 million seats. Frontier's expansion was driven by establishing a CLE Crew Base in March 2024, employing up to 110 pilots, 250 flight attendants, and 50 aircraft maintenance personnel. This resulted in a 32% boost in passenger activity. In February 2024, Frontier announced nonstop service to 10 additional destinations, bringing their total to 30 destinations from CLE with a 38% increase in average peak summer daily departures.
At Columbus (CMH): Multiple carriers serve CMH with no single dominant airline. The airport is served by major carriers including American, United, Delta, Southwest, as well as low-cost carriers like Frontier, Breeze Airways, Spirit, Allegiant, and Alaska Airlines. Sun Country Airlines also provides seasonal service.
At Dayton (DAY): American Airlines is the largest carrier with approximately 97 scheduled departures every week, followed by United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, and Avelo Airlines. The airport operates approximately 60 daily flights serving around 1,500 daily passengers.
At Akron-Canton (CAK): Four airlines serve the airport - Allegiant Air (Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Nashville, Orlando, Sarasota), Breeze Airways (Charleston, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Tampa), American Airlines (Charlotte, Washington DC), and United Airlines (Chicago O'Hare). Breeze Airways announced they will open a new crew base at CAK in summer 2025.
At Toledo Express (TOL): Allegiant Air is currently the primary carrier, offering flights to Orlando Sanford, Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, St. Pete-Clearwater, and seasonal service to Phoenix-Mesa. American Airlines and Delta also serve TOL.
From Cleveland (CLE): Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is the top destination with an average of 74 weekly flights, representing 10% of all weekly departures from CLE. Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City are the three most popular routes overall from Cleveland. The top international destinations are Toronto (YYZ) and Cancún (CUN). Other popular routes include Charlotte, Boston, and major Florida destinations.
From Columbus (CMH): With 53 non-stop destinations (more than ever before in airport history), Columbus offers extensive connectivity. Major hub connections include Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Denver. A new American Airlines flight to Los Angeles International Airport launched in March 2025, further expanding west coast connectivity.
From Dayton (DAY): Chicago O'Hare dominates with approximately 53 weekly flights, representing 30% of all departures from DAY. Additional popular destinations include Atlanta (Delta hub), Dallas-Fort Worth (American hub), Charlotte (American hub), and Reagan National in Washington, DC. The airport recently saw the reinstatement of nonstop service to Denver and added two more nonstop flights to the Washington, D.C. area through United Airlines.
From Akron-Canton (CAK): Chicago O'Hare leads as the top destination, followed by Charlotte as the second most popular route. Orlando remains a strong leisure destination. In 2024, CAK celebrated the inaugural flight to Daytona Beach (DAB), a brand-new destination, plus the return of popular service to West Palm Beach (PBI).
Florida destinations are consistently popular from all Ohio airports year-round, with particularly high demand during winter months. Budget carriers like Allegiant offer service to Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Punta Gorda (PGD), Sarasota (SRQ), and other Florida cities. Toledo Express specializes in Florida routes through Allegiant.
Yes, TSA PreCheck is available at all major commercial airports in Ohio except Youngstown-Warren Regional (which currently has no commercial service). Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) has TSA PreCheck at four checkpoints: FIS, North, Central, and South. John Glenn Columbus (CMH) offers PreCheck at Main Checkpoint B, Main Checkpoint C, and Terminal A. James M. Cox Dayton (DAY), Akron-Canton (CAK), Toledo Express (TOL), and Rickenbacker (LCK) all have TSA PreCheck at their main checkpoints.
Enrollment locations in Ohio: You can enroll at major airports including Cleveland Hopkins (CLE), John Glenn Columbus (CMH), and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG), or at retail locations throughout Ohio. Cleveland area options include Staples Lakewood and Idemia on E 40th St. Columbus area locations include Staples on Sawmill Rd and Office Depot at Easton. Cincinnati area has Staples on Colerain Ave, Staples on Paxton Ave, and Office Depot in Springdale. Pop-up and temporary enrollment events are held in Dayton, Toledo, and Akron.
Enrollment details: The cost is $78-$85 for 5 years of coverage. You can schedule appointments online or walk in, though appointments receive priority. Processing typically takes 3-5 days after enrollment. Important: Starting May 1, 2025, you must provide a REAL ID (driver's license or state ID) or other acceptable form of ID such as a passport for TSA PreCheck enrollment. All Universal Enrollment Centers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (11/27/25) and the day after Thanksgiving (11/28/25).
Benefits include: Expedited security screening, keeping shoes, belts, and light jackets on during screening, leaving laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in your bag, and significantly shorter wait times compared to standard security lanes. Columbus Airport (CMH) also offers enrollment with CLEAR for even faster screening options, combining biometric technology with TSA PreCheck benefits.
TSA has three authorized enrollment providers: IDEMIA (tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/locator), CLEAR (tsaprecheckbyclear.tsa.dhs.gov/locations), and the official TSA site (tsa.gov/precheck/enrollment-centers), offering over 1,300 convenient enrollment locations nationwide.
Public Transportation: Columbus offers the COTA AirConnect bus line 7 for $2.00 regular fare ($2.75 during rush hours, $4.50 day pass), taking only 10-15 minutes to reach downtown Columbus. This is the most economical option for airport transportation. Cleveland has RTA bus service connecting Cleveland Hopkins Airport to downtown Cleveland and surrounding areas. Dayton offers bus service for $2 to downtown (approximately 16-18 minutes from the airport).
Rideshare Services: Uber and Lyft operate at all major Ohio airports with designated pickup areas. At Columbus (CMH), after reserving your ride, go to the arrivals level (level 1 of the terminal), cross the Arrivals drive to the ground transportation area, and stand between the columns. At Cleveland (CLE), rideshare pickup is available on both upper (departures) and lower (arrivals) roadways. Typical fares are approximately $20-$30 from CMH to downtown Columbus, and $30-$45 from Dayton Airport to downtown Dayton.
Taxi Services: Traditional taxi service is available at ground transportation levels at all airports. Cleveland offers a dedicated taxicab service with a fleet of 110 white vehicles at the South end of Baggage Claim. Columbus taxis are outside baggage claim with airport-set fares based on distance (approximately $25 to downtown Columbus).
Shuttle Services: Multiple providers serve Ohio airports. Prime Time Shuttle operates at Columbus and Dayton airports offering shared rides and private cars. Cardinal Transportation serves Columbus with 24-hour answering service and meets passengers at baggage claim. Columbus Coach provides luxury vehicles including SUVs, limousines, and buses accommodating 5-57 passengers. SuperShuttle offers black car, SUV, and private van options. Freedom 2 Go serves Cleveland and Akron-Canton with private car service. GoBus provides Ohio University shuttle service to Columbus Airport year-round.
Rental Cars: All major rental car companies operate at Ohio's commercial airports. At Columbus (CMH), follow purple signs to the arrivals curb where you'll catch a quick shuttle to the rental car center (shuttles operate 24/7). The 900,000 square foot rental car center features 9 companies, spacious customer service lobby, water bottle filling stations on all three levels, and color-coded wayfinding systems. Available companies include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Cleveland Hopkins has a consolidated rental car facility located off airport grounds accessible via shuttle.
Black Car Services: Black Car Everywhere provides premium pick-and-drop services from and to any Ohio airports, especially serving Cincinnati, with limousine and professional car services for business and leisure travelers.
Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) is preparing for a transformative multi-phase CLE Terminal Modernization Development Program set to begin in 2025, coinciding with the airport's 100th anniversary. This modernization will significantly enhance the passenger experience over the next decade. The airport is forecasting 10.4 million passengers for 2025, continuing the growth momentum from 2024 when it surpassed 10 million passengers for the first time since 2019.
John Glenn Columbus International (CMH) has the most significant upcoming project with a new terminal scheduled to open in 2029, coinciding with the airport's 100th anniversary (opened July 8, 1929). The most exciting milestone of 2024 was officially breaking ground on the new terminal in December. The new terminal will feature a streamlined concourse with seven additional gates (36 total gates, up from current 29), modernized food and beverage options, and a new 5,000-car parking garage. This major expansion will help accommodate the airport's record passenger growth and serve the 53+ nonstop destinations.
Akron-Canton Regional (CAK) is experiencing significant expansion with a new Breeze Airways crew base scheduled to open in summer 2025. This development follows CAK's announcement that they've reached their 24th nonstop destination, the highest number ever for the airport. The airport has seen remarkable growth with 28% more seats and 24% more flights in 2024-2025, with forecasts showing 45% more flights and 50% more seats in Q1 2026. Lisa Dalpiaz, VP of Air Service and Business Development, stated this milestone caps off a year of expansion and success.
Youngstown-Warren Regional (YNG) received primary airport designation in 2024, allocating an extra $1 million per year over 5 years for maintenance and improvements. The airport has been working on restoration efforts with a $1.4 million DOT grant application submitted in 2023 to restore commercial passenger service within the next two years after losing all commercial flights when Allegiant ceased operations in January 2018.
Toledo Express (TOL) received a $1 million Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) Grant from the FAA in October 2024. This funding will provide the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority with additional resources to secure new routes out of TOL, making air travel more accessible for residents of Northwest Ohio. The Port Authority also partnered with participants of the 2023-2024 Leadership Toledo Signature Program to develop a sustainability plan for the airport.
At John Glenn Columbus International (CMH): The airport features the Escape Lounge located Airside in Concourse B near gate 32, operating from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The lounge is open to all passengers regardless of airline and offers complimentary drinks and delicious seasonal food served in a locally inspired space. Access is available via American Express Platinum or Centurion card ($40 prepaid lounge pass, $45 pay at door), or complimentary with Priority Pass card. The Jake Brewer USO Lounge provides a private getaway for military members and their families near the Concourse C exit lane.
CMH also offers water bottle filling stations in each concourse, SmarteCarte luggage carts ($6 per cart with $0.25 refunded upon return) available in the parking garage, curbside, and baggage claim, comfortable spaces for traveling mothers pre- and post-security, and the Paw Force One pet therapy program featuring furry volunteers. The airport has charging stations and free Wi-Fi throughout terminals, multiple ATMs, currency exchange services, and three concourses (A with 7 gates for Southwest, B with 16 gates for American/United/Spirit/Air Canada, C with 11 gates for Alaska/Breeze/Delta/Frontier/Sun Country).
At Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE): The airport has many shops and restaurants, ATM machines, a chapel, foreign currency exchange, business/convention centers, and lounges. The Smart Parking Garage features an intelligent guidance system to assist drivers in finding open parking spaces using electronic signage and LED lights. EV charging stations are available in the Red Lot.
At Ohio State University Airport (OSU): The Austin E. Knowlton Executive Terminal & Aviation Learning Center features the John H. McConnell-Worthington Industries Flight Hub, relaxing day rooms, NetJets Lobby and Observation Deck, quiet study spots, and a modern finished main terminal. The pilot lounge includes a mapping table, kitchenette, vending snacks and drinks, individual washrooms, and a lactation room. Four personal resting areas with private washrooms ensure pilots and crew on layovers can rest properly, with restricted access for safety and privacy.
Free Wi-Fi is available at all major Ohio airports. Most airports offer multiple dining and shopping options, business centers, mother's rooms, pet relief areas, and accessible facilities for passengers with disabilities. Check individual airport websites for specific amenity listings and terminal maps.
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Last updated on November 29, 2025