Warren County views airport as sky-high opportunity
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Photo: Courtesy of Warren County Airport
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."