CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S AVIATION GATEWAY WWW.TVCAIRPORT.COM
NORTHERN M AVIATION GA CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT AT A GLANCE CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT WHAT: A commercial and general aviation airport serving close to 800,000 passengers annually WHERE: T raverse City, Michigan WEBSITE: www.tvcairport.com 1 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09
MICHIGAN’S ATEWAY Located in the scenic community of Traverse City, Cherry Capital Airport, a dynamic commercial and general aviation hub, has earned its place as a valued regional asset with an economic impact close to $2 billion. The airport is a primary source of medical and business travel, and a welcoming front door for tourists discovering the beauty of Northern Michigan. With record passenger growth, and ambitious expansion plans, Cherry Capital Airport is exceeding expectations and continuing to raise the aviation bar. DRIVING AVIATION GROWTH AND STEERING ECONOMIC EXPANSION 2 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09
“We have an outstanding facility with two runways, one that’s 7016 feet, and one that’s 5378,” describes Kevin Klein, CEO of the Northwest Regional Airport Authority.“Cherry Capital Airport is the third largest airport in the state of Michigan. We have seven airlines that service us to 20 non stop destinations. From the general aviation side we have great fixed base operators with Avflight, 45 North, and air ambulance services with North Flight Aero Med.” Those operators support nearly 100,000 annual aircraft operations and a base of 105 aircraft. The airport is also home to the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, which operates three MH 60 Jayhawk helicopters for search and rescue missions across Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and northern Lake Huron. FESTIVALS, TOURISM, AND PARTNERSHIPS Passenger traffic at Cherry Capital Airport reflects the seasonal appeal of the region. Traverse City and the surrounding area are gaining attention as an ideal summer destination, drawing visitors from Texas, Florida, and the East Coast who want to escape the heat. “In the summer, we offer all kinds of great outdoor activities, from golf to wineries to trails, fishing, and family fun,” notes Klein. “We have cold temperatures in the winter and it’s the reverse. Our locals want to get out and go to some warm place. So that’s where services, especially airlines like Allegiant, have become strong in our market. They provide that ‘non-stop fun to the sun,’ so to speak.” With a name that highlights Traverse City’s heritage as the world’s leading producer of tart cherries, Cherry Capital Airport works hand in hand with local tourism agencies to attract visitors to the community. “We celebrate that with a pretty large festival that brings in upwards of 500,000 people into our area. It kicks off with an air show, usually with a major act, like the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds, or a major military act with F-22s,” Klein describes. Additionally, the Traverse City Equestrian Festival, a summer long event, brings in 5,000 horses and generates an economic impact of roughly $124 million annually. 3 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09 CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT
Partnerships with the Downtown Development Authority and Traverse City Tourism help to promote the airport and the community.“As a small airport, we don’t have a large marketing budget, so we match it with co-op funds that come from the tourism bureau,” he outlines. “As much as it’s important to bring people in to stay in our hotels, when someone flies in, they stay longer. The average stay of a person that flies in is about five days, compared to less than two for someone that would drive in.” BUSINESS, INNOVATION, AND MIGRATION Along with its importance as a tourism driver, Cherry Capital Airport also strengthens business growth in the region. “We are the hub traffic for Northern Michigan for air service,” Klein details. “Our legacy carriers, Delta, United and American, see that business traveler. We see all different kinds of things, from tech firms, engineering firms, and our medical fields. We are very strong in all of those areas, and we continue to see that growth.” The airport’s connectivity was also a factor during the pandemic trend that saw people migrating to preferred areas to work from home.“People wanted to work now where they could live and play,” he explains. “We saw that influx of people moving to our area. One of the reasons people chose Northern Michigan to live is because of the air service.” Klein points to the demographic shifts that are also shaping Cherry Capital Airport’s growth, noting that the Traverse City area is home to a high concentration of millennial millionaires. “That generation really wants to be able to travel for work and fun, so having an airport with seven airlines and 20 non stop destinations is very attractive to that age group,” he asserts. “It’s also very attractive for developing new businesses and we have lots of entrepreneurs in that millennial range.” INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXPANSION With growth exceeding forecasts, the airport is now investing in infrastructure to carry it forward. “Our current terminal was designed for about 350,000 annual passengers. In 2024 we had 787,114 total passengers,” says Klein. “We’re already growing in 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09
2025 about 22 percent over the record year of 2024.” To meet this demand, Cherry Capital Airport is launching a $120 million terminal expansion project. Scheduled to begin in March 2026, the addition will create a new concourse with five jet bridges, to be completed by spring 2028. Plans also include a third concourse in the future. “We definitely need every inch of that room right now, and we’re growing at a rate that really is driving us to add that to it,” he underscores. “ The best part about that is we need terminal infrastructure to meet our growing demand, but from an airline standpoint, we have all the assets that not only get us anywhere domestically in the United States, but, with a 7000 foot runway, we would easily be able to achieve European destinations as these newer aircraft come on board.” Avflight also completed a new $7 million corporate hangar in 2024 for a local insurance company, adding to the airport’s growing infrastructure. Klein says private developers are also expressing strong interest, with proposals for 10 new small general aviation hangars and another three linked to a previous project. “We went to an airport authority in October of 2021, and that allows us the flexibility to negotiate leases with those that are willing to do private investment,” he shares. “Since we’ve been an authority Avflight has seen over $12 million worth of investments into the airport. We’ve seen another million dollars that’s going in with our cafe and gift shop, and those are all the types of things where you need long term leases.” TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION As it continues to expand, Cherry Capital Airport is helping to train the aviation experts of the future. Northwestern Michigan College and Giving Wings Aviation both operate flight schools on the field, while Legacy Aviation provides aircraft mechanic training. “They’ve partnered with a local high school, Northwestern Michigan Education Services and our Career Opportunity Center on the aircraft 5 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09 CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT
THOUGHTFUL, CREATIVE DESIGN SINCE 1948 Cornwell Architects is a compact team with a strong commitment to purposeful design. Based in beautiful Traverse City Michigan, we offer full-service architecture built on collaboration, creativity, and communication. Our size allows us to stay nimble and responsive, giving each project the attention it deserves and ensures each design reflects both the client’s vision and our passion for quality craftsmanship. Founded over 75 years ago, we understand that success comes from strong long-lasting relationships within our community. Cornwell Architects is dedicated to serving Traverse City and the surrounding areas as we coordinate seamlessly with consultants, engineers, and contractors to deliver results that align with your goals, your timeline, and your budget. We bring our passion and knowledge of architecture to any project, large and small, guiding clients from early concepts through construction with open communication and honesty. We are proud to help design the places where our communities work, learn, and play. Whether it is a renovation or new construction, Cornwell Architects is ready to help you create something beautiful and enduring. WWW.CORNWELL-ARCHITECTS.COM • 231-946-7711 Cornwell Architects is more than an architectural design firm; we are a true business partner and trusted advisor who shares our clients’ vision and works with them to bring that vision to reality. Cornwell Architects takes pride in their flexible approach to exceeding their client’s project goals, whether it’s the financial performance of a commercial project or the details of a quiet sitting area for a lake-front home. Cornwell Architects 3050 Sunset Ln, Traverse City, MI , 49684 231.946.7711 VISIT OUR WEBSITE
DOING BUSINESS IN TRAVERSE CITY With sweeping Lake Michigan views, award-winning wineries, and miles of scenic trails,Traverse City is celebrated as a top-tier vacation destination—named one of the “10 Best Places to Go” in the world by The Wall Street Journal in 2025. It’s more than a beautiful place to visit—it’s a remarkable place to live, work, and build a business. Millions are drawn to the region’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. Many stay. What begins as a vacation often turns into a vision for a new life, starting a company, relocating family, and pursuing a balanced lifestyle. Traverse City’s business appeal is a thriving entrepreneurial community, where both small startups and global brands are flourishing. The region offers seamless air access and a quality of life that’s hard to match. It’s home to a rich agricultural heritage—known as the Cherry Capital of the World—and produces more varieties of fruits and vegetables than nearly any other state. That same abundance fuels an innovative local economy, powering a nationally recognized beverage and farm-to-table scene. Traverse City isn’t just a great place to visit—it’s where people plant roots, grow ideas, and build futures. It’s where vacation dreams turn into lasting legacies. E actly w ere ou s ould be. In between nature and water, ou’ll find a communit connected b both. Where we take care of each other and what’s around us. Respect the land and water. Connect with friends. Celebrate ever thin else. TraverseCit .com CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT
maintenance side,” relays Klein. “In high school they can get training, and then they come to Legacy to finish that training. Then, within a year, they have an aircraft airframe and power plant license, and they can go to work.” With starting salaries in the $75,000 to $80,000 range, the program is addressing a workforce shortage while providing high paying jobs for graduates. On the healthcare side, North Flight Aero Med operates from the airport in partnership with Munson Medical Center. Its fleet, which includes a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter and King Air 200 aircraft, provides rapid patient transport across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Klein recounts,“They will go up and pick up patients and take them down to U of M or bring them into our hospital here. We have a major trauma center, cancer center and heart center here in Traverse City. So the ability to have an air ambulance to get people from rural areas when anything major happens is an awesome advantage. It makes our quality of life here very high.” 8 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09
PASSIONATE LEADERSHIP FOR CONTINUED GROWTH Looking ahead, Klein says completing the terminal expansion, attracting another legacy carrier, and extending the peak season into year round activity are his three top priorities. On a more personal note, Klein shares his love of aviation, which is not just a career but a lifelong passion. He credits his father, who used to take him and his siblings to watch airplanes on Sunday afternoons, for sparking his interest.After earning an aviation degree from Western Michigan University and working across the country, Klein returned to Michigan in 2002. He became airport director in 2011 and later CEO when the airport transitioned to authority status. “I love Traverse City. It’s my home. And one of the reasons I stay here is because I get to work where I play and live,” he imparts. “I love the airport itself, all the people that work here meadhunt.com 125 Years of Shaping the Future Full-service engineering, architecture, and planning services for your infrastructure needs. • Aviation • Cultural Resources • Education • Federal • Food & Beverage • Renewable Energy • Technology Services • Transportation • Water 9 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09 CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Cornwell Architects www.cornwell-architects.com Cornwell Architects has collaborated with Cherry Capital Airport on multiple projects from an addition, tenant buildout, airplane hangar, and is excited to be a consultant for the future terminal expansion. We are a full-service Architectural firm that is excited to advance the aviation industry in Northern Michigan. n Traverse City Tourism www.traversecity.com Traverse City Tourism is an independent, not-forprofit destination organization that promotes the greater Traverse City area as a leisure and business destination with an excellent quality of life. Through travel, Traverse City Tourism helps strengthen the local economy and supports a thriving entrepreneurial community. n Mead & Hunt, Inc www.meadhunt.com Mead & Hunt delivers engineering, architecture, planning, and construction services nationwide. For several consecutive years, Engineering News-Record has ranked Mead & Hunt as a top 500 A/E design firm and is currently #9 in Airports. The company has grown significantly since its founding 125 years ago. Markets include aviation, transportation, water, federal, education, food/beverage, renewable energy, and technology services. and are part of our airport family. We have close to 2000 people that work for various businesses across the airport. Our love of aviation is there every day.To be able to see the number of flights grow, and the airlines coming to see what this is all about, that’s very rewarding in itself.” 10 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09
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