Cleveland, Ohio – May 19, 2026 – Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the completion of the Central Security Checkpoint Expansion Project, designed to improve the passenger experience and reduce congestion within the terminal.
The project reconfigured the checkpoint area to double the number of security screening lanes from two to four, doubled guest queueing space from 150 to 300 linear feet, and streamline the CLEAR screening area to improve passenger flow.
The Central Checkpoint expansion helps improve the guest experience and reduce congestion at the ticketing level while supporting current passenger needs ahead of future headhouse renovations under CLEvolution, the airport’s long-term vision for modernization, with the Terminal Modernization Development Program (TMDP) serving as its cornerstone. “These improvements are part of our ongoing efforts to modernize the existing terminal while enhancing accessibility, operational efficiency, and the overall passenger experience as we move forward with CLEvolution and the Terminal Modernization Development Program,” said Bryant L. Francis, Director of Port Control. “Reconfiguring and expanding the Central Checkpoint allows us to better accommodate passenger demand today while preparing the airport for future growth.”
As part of the overall expansion project, restrooms near the Central Checkpoint were also renovated and redesigned in late 2025 to allow direct access from the ticketing level, eliminating the need for passengers to enter the security queueing area to use the facilities. The upgraded restrooms, which opened in November 2025, also include the airport’s first adult changing station. The Central Checkpoint Expansion Project was completed by Feghali Brothers Construction and Engineering at a cost of $4.8 million.
The restroom reconfiguration was completed by Ozanne Construction Company at a cost of $1.3 million.
Photos from today’s Central Checkpoint ribbon-cutting event are available for download here: Central Checkpoint Ribbon Cutting Photos + Video
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Northeast Ohio’s Gateway to the World. Ohio’s busiest airport serves more than 10 million passengers annually. Ten passenger airlines offer over 130 daily departures to more than 40 nonstop destinations. There are also four all-cargo airlines serving CLE.
The launch of CLEvolution: The Campaign to Transform Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, marks a major investment to modernize CLE over the next decade. The evolution of this critical regional asset will not only revolutionize the air travel experience for local residents and visitors alike but also position Northeast Ohio for future growth and greater economic prosperity.