CLEVELAND – Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson held a press conference Monday morning to address the closing of United Airlines hub at Hopkins International Airport.
He expressed his disappointment with the news but said the reductions by United will not be devastating. Officials, Jackson says, have been planning and investing in Hopkins so he sees this as “a new opportunity for growth.”
Airport director Ricky Smith echoed Jackson’s sentiments. But Smith stressed the reductions are an industry trend away from regional jet hubs and many of the reductions are not based on local demand. Those markets no longer being served are the “least used.”
Jackson said he believes the Phoenix market, which is a mainline market United is dropping in Cleveland, is one that will be attractive to another carrier.
Smith says officials have met with 58 airlines about flying out of Cleveland.
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