Highlights of 2023 Accomplishments

December 7, 2023

Events & Updates

Highlights of 2023 Accomplishments

Many good things have been happening at the Department of Port Control (DPC) in 2023. As the year comes to a close, here’s a quick review of some of the highlights from the past year:

• Infrastructure Improvements
  
  • Terminal Modernization Development Program
    
    • Preparations continue for ground-breaking of the Terminal Modernization Development Project (TMDP), previously known as the Airport Master Plan, for the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) 100^th anniversary in 2025
    • Onboarded TMDP Executive Program Management Team (Paslay Group)
  • Smart Parking Garage Repairs
    
    • Completed a $4.5M structural repair and refurbishment, which included removing and replacing expansion joints, removing and replacing the slab on grade joint sealants, crack repairs, concrete repairs, installation of crash wall support brackets, concrete slab repairs and striping, and a new walkway through the garage, which improves pedestrian safety.
    • This project came in almost two months ahead of the projected completion date, and offers almost 4,000 parking spaces.
  • EV Charging Stations
    
    • Preparing to launch first EV charging stations, which will be located in the Red Lot
    • Purchase and installation of the EV charging stations were funded by a $15,000 grant from the Ohio EPA Volkswagon Diesel Mitigation Trust Fund Program and approximately $5,000 by DPC to cover additional expenses
       
• Safety Enhancements
  
  • Outstanding TSA Annual Inspection
    
    • Passed a rigorous TSA inspection with no discrepancies
    • This inspection examines all areas of CLE operations against the applicable regulatory requirements and includes various methods, including: testing, surveillance, interviews and document review.
  • New Mass Notification System
    
    • Implemented a new mass notification system which enhances both CLE’s emergency and non-emergency communications
  • Safety Management System
    
    • Successfully submitted CLE’s Safety Management System (SMS) plan to the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) – which received accolades from the FAA as being a guide for other airport still developing their SMS plans.
  • Trespassing Policy
    
    • Enhanced airport access rules by implementing and enforcing regulations that limits access to airport property to those who have legitimate business on-site
  • Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Designated Star Facility
    
    • GBAC Star Accreditation is a division of ISSA, the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. Star Facility recognition is awarded for the thoroughness of cleaning, disinfection and disease prevention at businesses who have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment
    • CLE has been recognized for custodial maintenance’s refreshment of terminals and cleaning robot
       
• Air Service Development
  
  • Enplanements Continue to Increase Following Pandemic
    
    • 2023 passenger travel was on course to exceed 9.9M
    • This will be more than 1M over 2022 and more than 99% of 2019.
  • Aer Lingus
    
    • Launched non-stop service between Cleveland and Dublin, with four routes per week, year round
  • Frontier Expansion
    
    • Frontier Airlines has added more direct service destinations, including San Juan, Puerto Rico
    • Coming in March 2024, Frontier will add flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica
    • Frontier has also committed to establishing crew base operations at CLE, with potential for over 400 new jobs equaling $80 million in annual wages
       
• Community
  
  • Special Olympics Plane Pull Event
    
    • In September, CLE welcomed the return of this much-loved community event that had not been held since 2019
    • The Plane Pull attracted 32 teams and raised almost $70,000 for Special Olympics Ohio – promoting the transformative power of sport
  • Schreckengost Time and Space Returns to CLE
    
    • Time and Space, by famed industrial designer Vicktor Schreckengost, was commissioned in 1955 as a piece of art for the main entrance of the airport’s new terminal building
    • After years of being off-display and a thorough restoration, the sculpture is now on view again
  • Opportunity Center Services
    
    • DPC’s Opportunity Center across from Carousel 10 on the baggage claim level is staffed and open regular hours (and by appointment) to assist those seeking jobs at the airport or with the City of Cleveland
    • A win-win, this personalized service assists job seekers and airport employers to make the right job matches for the success of the individual and the business

 

Watch for updates in the coming months about DPC’s accomplishments and progress related to the TMDP and more!