Cleveland Hopkins posts strong passenger rebound; airport seeks 2025 funds for custodial staff, terminal planning

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport officials told the council’s finance committee that 2024 passenger activity exceeded 2019 levels and topped about 10.2 million passengers, the highest annual traffic in more than a decade. Port Control said the increase has created near‑term operating needs and prompted budget requests for additional full‑time staff, including a large increase in custodial positions.

Director of Port Control (presenting) emphasized the airport is an enterprise fund that does not receive local general‑fund support. “Our operating expenses are supported by revenue generated by user fees, leases… and through rates and charges paid for by our airlines,” the director said during the hearing. The department also receives federal grants primarily for airfield capital projects.

Nut graf: With passenger volumes above 2019 levels and a short‑term need for more staff to maintain operations and customer experience, Port Control sought budget authority for new positions and noted a near‑term capital program to add two TSA screening lanes and related restroom upgrades. The department also said it will present a terminal modernization plan publicly in the spring.

Key budget and operational points

Passenger recovery and forecast: Port Control told the committee that Hopkins handled about 10.2 million passengers in 2024 and forecast roughly 10.4 million in 2025. Officials said 2024 activity surpassed 2019 levels and was the busiest year since 2008 for the airport.

Budget structure and funding: The airport reiterated that it does not draw tax dollars from the city’s general fund; airport operations are primarily supported by non‑airline revenues (parking, concessions, ground transportation) and airline rates. Officials said the airport does contribute certain payments into centralized city accounts (for example, some taxes and interdepartmental charges) but that core operations are funded from airport revenues and grants.

Staffing and custodial additions: The 2025 budget request included roughly 60 additional full‑time positions budget‑to‑budget, with the largest single category an increase of 34 custodial positions to address passenger‑level and cleanliness demands. Port Control said many requested hires are for operational trades (carpenters, electricians, plumbers) and specialized roles such as window washers and custodial supervisors. The department said those additions reflect higher passenger volumes and a desire to convert short‑term contractor work to in‑house positions.

Capital and near‑term projects: Port Control plans to add two lanes to the central TSA screening checkpoint and build pre‑security restroom capacity in 2025, and officials said they will shortly provide a public briefing on the terminal modernization and development plan (TMDP). The department said much of its capital work is grant‑funded; officials noted federal Airport Improvement Program grants primarily support airfield projects.

Questions from council: Members asked about a large year‑to‑year swing in grant and miscellaneous revenues (officials said earlier ARPA and state grant draws contributed to prior year totals), the banks holding airport deposits and whether the airport’s funds are invested consistent with community reinvestment goals. Port Control officials said operational cash balances are managed with the city’s treasury and depository agreements and agreed to supply fuller documentation and account breakdowns requested by council.

Ending: Port Control asked councilmembers to await a spring briefing for full TMDP details. Committee members flagged a desire to prioritize airport jobs that offer family‑sustaining wages as some contractor roles are converted to full‑time positions.