Warren County Airport is growing fast, but officials say more parking and a longer runway could unlock more business and visitor traffic.
Why it matters: County leaders see the airport as a tool to lure companies, corporate travelers and tourists, creating more sources of local revenue.
State of play: The airport can currently park only two or three business aircraft at a time, Airport Authority chairman Jack DeBrunner tells Axios.
A $4.3 million FAA grant will expand the ramp by early next spring, DeBrunner says.
Demand is there: Four businesses want to build corporate hangars on 12 acres the county acquired last year.
Yes, but: The bigger challenge is extending the 4,503-foot runway by about 500 feet — a long-term goal with no timeline.
Airport director Josh Curtis tells Axios 5,000 feet is an important insurance threshold that would open the airport to more corporate jets.
The county has already acquired land, cleared obstacles and widened the runway, but land issues remain and FAA approval is ultimately needed.
What they’re saying: “The ease of getting their corporate aircraft in and out of a destination is an important variable when people choose where to locate their corporate headquarters or a new plant or what have you,” Warren County Commissioner Dave Young says.
“And a growing economy and having more job opportunities for our citizens is, you know, right there behind public safety as job No. 1 for me.”
Zoom in: The airport sits near major employers like Procter & Gamble, Cintas and Rocketdyne — plus attractions like Kings Island and the Cincinnati Open.
The tennis tournament drew more than 300,000 fans this year, with 57% coming from outside the Cincinnati area.
Curtis tells Axios the airport saw tournament-related traffic this year.
“I think anytime we can increase access at Warren County Airport to get more and bigger planes is helpful,” tournament director Bob Moran tells Axios. “Bottom line: Anytime we can have more direct flights into the Cincinnati area helps us.”
By the numbers: Total airport flights jumped 35% from 2023 through 2025.
Based aircraft are expected to grow from about 100 in 2023 to more than 185 by the end of 2026.
The last word: “Having more operations out of that airport — if it really is a tool to help us grow our economic base and bring more corporate citizens here — that’s what every community is fighting for,” Young says.
“Those employers that have done well enough to afford corporate aircraft are exactly who you want in your community because those are the people who employ folks.”