Scott Gibbons / CVG Airport / August 30, 2021Airports can’t say it enough: “Safety is our number one priority.” It has been and always will be part of our strategic plan and success defining measures.As we look toward 20 years since the tragic 9/11 attacks, we reflect on the changes in policy and programs that have developed as a result. The creation of the Transportation Security Administration, formalizing airport security screening under federal agency responsibility, was one very visible change. As much as travelers don’t like to wait in lines, we must remind ourselves of the purpose - to keep the flying public safe.Another addition was the implementation of the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies [(SAFETY) Act program instituted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security](https://www.safetyact.gov/) in 2002. This program encourages the development and deployment of effective anti-terrorism products and services by offering incentives for entities that demonstrate exceptionalism in providing anti-terrorism technologies.CVG has demonstrated our commitment to the safety of our passengers and employees by receiving designation and certification under the SAFETY Act. In 2011, we were proud to be the first and only airport in the United States to apply for and receive these acclamations. We are equally proud to have reaffirmed our commitment through renewed protections in 2015 and now again in 2021.What this means is that CVG’s security program, or technology (our “Airport Security Management Plan”), has been shown to be effective, earning the highest mark under the Act—certification. It has been thoughtfully measured by independent experts and evaluated as meriting this recognition. Because of our innovative work and attention to detail, travelers, employees, and the overall community benefit by our airport’s ability to respond in the event an incident occurs at our airport.

Mindy Kershner/ CVG Airport / July 1, 2021RECENT AIRLINE AND SCHEDULE ADDITIONS AT CVG“Vacation countdown begins” has become quite the catchphrase over the last month with more and more travelers planning and/or taking those trips they’ve been wanting to for more than a year now.With built-up demand and more airline and route choices at CVG, summer travel is predicted to be at 75-80% of 2019 passenger volumes. We have been busy over the last month and a half celebrating returned routes, [new nonstop destinations](https://www.cvgairport.com/nonstop-destinations/) and new air carriers: Sun Country Airlines and Alaska Airlines.- Air Canada: Nonstop flights to Toronto are scheduled to restart September 7th. This is subject to change depending on demand and international travel restrictions.- Alaska Airlines: One of the two new carriers at CVG with daily service to Seattle started May 20th.- Allegiant Air: New biweekly nonstop flights to Key West began June 9th.- American Airlines: Service to Phoenix will restart August 18th, new, twice-daily service to Austin will begin September 9th and new nonstop service to Boston will begin November 2nd flying three times a day.- Delta Air Lines: Nonstop service to Paris, France is scheduled to resume October 31st. This is also subject to change depending on demand and international travel restrictions.- Frontier: International service to Cancun has resumed.- Southwest Airlines: New nonstop flights to Sarasota and Fort Myers began on June 12th operating on Saturdays.- Sun Country Airlines: The other new carrier at CVG with biweekly service to Minneapolis, which began May 14th.- United Airlines: Four new nonstop destinations began May 27th and 28th to Pensacola, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Portland, Maine.- Vacation Express: International vacation packages to Cancun, Los Cabos and Punta Cana have resumed.CVG ON SOCIAL MEDIAFor more on CVG’s nonstop flight options, you can visit the [nonstop destinations webpage](https://www.cvgairport.com/nonstop-destinations/), follow the airport on social media ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/CVGAirport), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CVGairport/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/cvgairport/) or [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cvgairport)) or sign up for Flight Lines, CVG’s monthly newsletter that provides updates on air service, tips for parking and more.TRAVELING DURING PEAK SEASONCVG encourages you to give yourself plenty of time when flying out. Check out this blog reviewing what you need to know to return to travel this summer.SHOP CVGAnd in case you haven’t heard, CVG launched a new online store where you can show off your airport pride no matter where your travels take you. Check it out today! Shop.CVGairport.com.

Mindy Kershner / CVG Airport / May 24, 2021Increased travel, more airline choicesWith the increase in COVID-19 vaccinations, many leisure travelers are taking those trips they planned in 2020 or visiting friends and relatives they have not seen in some time.So far this year, CVG is serving about 55% of the passenger volumes we did in 2019. We expect the summer months to be at 70-80%. And with airfares at a 25-year low, and new routes and air carriers like Sun Country Airlines and Alaska Airlines beginning service, this number could increase.This is good news for CVG and the entire travel industry as more and more people feel confident to travel again.Travelers should do some research prior to their trips. [CNN travel](https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/us-state-travel-restrictions-covid-19/index.html) has a good state-by-state breakdown of regulations including quarantine recommendations, COVID testing and more.CVG celebrates the inauguration of two new airline carriers to CVG Airport, increasing both carrier and schedule options for travelers.Left or Top: Sun Country Airlines inaugural ribbon cutting with Sunny the Bear, May 14, 2021 / Right or Bottom: Alaska Airlines inaugural ribbon cutting, May 20, 2021Masks requiredWhen it comes to masks, they are still required in airports and on aircraft for now. The Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) recently announced that people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks or socially distance. However, the CDC, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation are requiring the traveling public to still wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation.This means all employees and passengers at CVG, and airports across the U.S., must wear masks while traveling through the airport and when flying on an airplane. This mandate was first implemented in January and was extended on May 12th through at least September 13th.Travel TipsAnd if you’re curious what airlines are flying where from CVG, you can visit the [nonstop destinations webpage](https://www.cvgairport.com/nonstop-destinations/), follow the airport on social media ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/CVGAirport) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CVGairport/)) or sign up for Flight Lines, CVG’s monthly newsletter that provides updates on air service, tips for parking and more.A few other insider tips as you make your way to the airport:- Ticketing and security lines may be longer than anticipated. And with local traffic issues such as work taking place on the Brent Spence Bridge, allow yourself plenty of time and arrive to the airport two hours before your scheduled departure. Your flight departure time is often when an aircraft pushes back from the gate, so pay attention to what time boarding begins and closes.- We currently have two parking options at the airport: the CVG Terminal Garage and the CVG Economy Lot. You can view details [here](https://www.cvgairport.com/parking-options/).It may have been a while since you traveled, but we’re here to help and there are plenty of other resources out there to plan ahead. So go ahead, call up your favorite travel companion and get back to the skies.

Lindsay Wiggins / CVG Airport / March 2, 2021The logistics and supply chain industry is growing around the world, particularly here in the Cincinnati region and at CVG Airport, with cargo operations growing at record pace. That growth is accompanied by additional workforce needs. Several community partners and employers on CVG’s campus have risen to the occasion in working together to implement a dual-credit program for high school students in Northern Kentucky. The program not only builds the workforce pipeline but ensures students are receiving work-based learning in this high-demand sector.The program is unique – a true collaborative effort. Partners include:- [Gateway Community Technical College](https://gateway.kctcs.edu/) for the dual-credit piece- River Cities Schools, including [Bellevue](https://www.bellevue.kyschools.us/), [Dayton](https://www.dayton.kyschools.us/1/Home), [Newport](https://www.newportwildcats.org/1/home), [Lloyd](https://www.erlanger.kyschools.us/1/Home), [Holmes](https://www.covington.kyschools.us/1/Home), [Ludlow](https://www.ludlow.kyschools.us/1/home), and [The Ignite Institute](https://www.igniteinstitute.org/) (Boone/Kenton County high schools)- [NaviGo Career and College Prep](https://navigoprep.com/)- Several businesses, including [CVG Airport](https://cvgairport.com/), [Atlas Air](https://www.atlasair.com/), and [DHL](https://www.dhl.com/en.html).This program allows juniors and seniors at participating schools to take dual-credit classes, including introduction to logistics management (LOM 100), which is an overview of general logistics concepts and organizational issues; inventory management and customer service in logistics; and transportation third party logistics. Another class is LOM 102, which presents an overview of supply chain management and financial analysis; inventory management skills and techniques; and supply chain design and sustainability solutions.Co-op ProgramA co-op rotation is the final piece of the program, allowing students to encounter true work-based learning experiences building upon the skills learned in the classroom and providing the opportunity for full-time employment in entry level roles upon graduation. CVG employers participate in the co-op program by hiring and paying students for their time. At the end of the two-year program, students graduate with college credit and have earned work-based learning experiences, as well as industry certifications ([Certified Logistics Associate and/or Certified Logistics Technician.](https://www.msscusa.org/certified-logistics-technician-clt-courses/))Airport employers hired co-ops from the River Cities Schools in spring 2020. Those employers included Atlas Air, DHL, CVG Airport and Wayfair. All co-ops at DHL were offered full-time positions. Five students accepted the offer and began their careers in aviation supply chain. In fact, one student continued to work hard and has been promoted to a lead position in less than a year. Success stories like these are not uncommon for airport and educational partnerships.The pandemic has impacted many employers, and there is an even greater need to provide work-based learning experiences in the logistics and supply chain. As of February 2021, DHL has nine co-op students, Wayfair has one student and Atlas Air has three co-op students from the Ignite Institute.These learning experiences are helping students gain skills to be work ready, all while building a stronger workforce and ensuring educational equity among several Northern Kentucky school districts.The program continues to gain momentum. More employers are participating in work-based learning opportunities, and more students are considering dual-enrollment classes to jump start their careers.Photo: Participating co-op students worked at CVG Airport's DHL location in 2020. Photo courtesy of DHLGet InvolvedIf you are a school district who wants to talk with CVG about partnership opportunities, contact Lindsay Wiggins with CVG Airport at lwiggins@cvgairport.com.If you are a student or parent interested in getting involved in this program, contact Lorraine O’Moore, NKY College & Career Connector at NaviGo at lomoore@learning-grove.org.

Laura Barfield / CVG Airport / February 10, 2021Behind the ScenesIf you’ve ever lived in the Midwest, you know one thing you can count on – an unpredictable winter. Luckily, at CVG we have one of the best teams in the business when it comes to winter weather operations. From weather tracking and planning, to actual snow and ice removal, this team does it all to keep the airport open and operational year-round. Here’s a look at what goes on behind the scenes.CVG’s winter snow team is on call 24/7For starters, CVG’s winter snow team is on call 24/7. The team is led by our senior airfield maintenance manager and is supported by seasonal staff – all of whom know the airfield well and are experts at operating snow removal equipment. This dedicated crew carefully clears the airport’s runways and taxiways, keeping them safe for takeoffs and landings. Our snow team’s dedicated and efficient methods have been recognized within the airport industry, earning numerous “Operator of the Year” titles, as well as placements at the annual Snow Symposium held in Buffalo, NY. In addition to CVG’s airfield, this team also ensures all roads and sidewalks on the 7,700-acre airport campus remain clear. From curb front to runway, that’s a lot to cover.Serious Snow EquipmentYou might wonder what kind of equipment is necessary to clear a 12,000-foot-long, 150-foot wide runway. It requires something a little more sophisticated than your average snowplow. At CVG, we have a fleet of nine Vammas snowplows: 70-foot long machines that sweep, brush, plow and scrub our runways all at one time. They navigate down a runway in a V-formation and can clear it in up to 15 minutes during a typical weather event. CVG was a leader in adopting this equipment in 2012, and many airports have followed suit.Year Round PlanningBut, it’s not just the winter months when the team is busy. They begin planning for the season in August and remain active until the last snowfall, which can be any time between March and May. There is a lot that goes into keeping airplanes moving when temperatures fall below freezing. Another piece to the puzzle is de-icing of aircraft, which is generally handled by an airline or its contractors.CVG Airport never closes, and our winter operations team is one reason why we’re always prepared for whatever winter may throw at us. If you’re traveling in the winter months and there’s a weather pattern that is questionable, we encourage you to check with your airline on flight status and any potential delays/cancellations. Sometimes these are caused by weather in other areas of the country. Some airlines will keep you updated on your flight status via text message updates. You can also visit our website, CVGairport.com, to check flight status or for more information.

Mindy Kershner / CVG Airport / November 6, 2020If you haven’t traveled by air in a while, you may not know what to expect. Airports and airlines across the country have worked together to enhance cleaning procedures and prepare facilities and aircraft for the health and safety of passengers and employees. In this how-to guide you’ll learn what to expect as well as tips for flying during the COVID-19 pandemic.Planning your tripReview your airport, airline and destination websites for travel guidance, relevant restrictions including COVID testing requirements, insurance policies and more. Links to relevant resources can be found at CVGairport.com/FlyHealthy. Be sure to arrive at the airport two hours before your scheduled departure to allow yourself time to socially distance, wash hands along the way and not feel rushed.PackingIn addition to your everyday items, remember to pack several face masks, cleansing wipes and now you can bring 12 ounces of hand sanitizer with you in your carry-on bag. You can visit tsa.gov for a [travel checklist](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist) or to view an infographic on “[What to Know Before You Go](https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/infographic-062920.pdf).”ParkingAll parking at CVG has been consolidated to the Terminal Garage to minimize shuttling, ensure social distancing and continue offering convenient and safe parking for all passengers.TicketingPlexiglass guards have been installed at all airline ticket counters and CVG has significantly increased the number of hand sanitizer stations for in between hand washing. When checking a bag or approaching any line or crowd, be sure to socially distance yourself from fellow travelers.The airport’s housekeeping team has developed an intensive cleaning routine. All surfaces throughout the Terminal are wiped down and sanitized regularly throughout the day. This includes handrails on escalators and moving walkways. A new addition to the housekeeping team are autonomous floor-cleaning robots to allow housekeepers to focus on those other, important tasks like sanitizing and wiping down high-traffic areas.SecurityThere have been a number of updates at the security checkpoint to reduce physical contact with TSA officers. You no longer hand your boarding pass to the officer. You can scan your own pass, and then allow the officer to visually inspect it along with your identification. It’s helpful to remove belts and all items from your pockets such as wallets, keys and phones before you enter the checkpoint and place them in your carry-on bag instead of a bin. You can also remove food items from your carry-on bag and place in a bin for screening since these items often alarm the screener, and that way the officer doesn’t have to dig through your bag. You’ll be glad to know the officers wipe the bins down after each use, and TSA now allows you to bring up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer on your flight.For more COVID-19 updates related to going through the security checkpoint, visit [tsa.gov/coronavirus](https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus).ConcessionsMany shops and restaurants are open, but not all, and hours may vary. Those that are open are following their company policies on cleaning and sanitizing each location. This includes, but not limited to, regularly scheduled cleaning of all surfaces, increased cleaning in high-traffic areas, hand sanitizer available for customers, wearing of masks and gloves, and practicing physical distancing. Before you leave home, you can look up what is open and when at cvgairport.com/flyhealthy and click on the “Concessions” tab.Gate areaPlexiglass guards have also been installed at gate check-in desks. Most gate areas include signage reminders and/or markers showing the proper distance travelers should allow between one another. Seats aren’t blocked to enable families to sit together, but again there are reminders to encourage social distancing and respect each other’s’ space. If a restaurant has a crowd, or you don’t have time to sit down to grab a bite to eat before your flight, you can get items to go and eat at your gate. Many concessions have increased the number of individually wrapped, prepared food.BoardingMany airlines are boarding from the back of the plane to the front to minimize passengers walking past one another. The friendly gate agents remind passengers again to physically distance themselves when boarding the plane. On the planeAll airlines operating out of CVG are requiring passengers to wear masks while on board. Airlines have also enhanced their cleaning procedures, spraying down seat areas, cabin walls, overhead bins and lavatories. And, all aircraft have HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters which can capture respiratory virus particles at more than 99.9% efficiency. These are the same filters used in hospitals and doctors' offices. You may be curious about that middle seat. It varies by airline – some are leaving it open, others are not. It’s also a policy that’s being updated often. It’s best to check with your airline before you travel. To learn more about what your airline has done, you can visit cvgairport.com/flyhealthy and click on the Airline Info tab.One final pro tip to reiterate: Make sure to research your destination before you go especially during the pandemic. You’ll want to know what restrictions there may be. For example, look at what food and entertainment are close by and what their hours are for planning purposes. You can also determine if your destination requires COVID testing, where face masks are required and any other planning you can do beforehand to ensure your trip goes smoothly and exceeds your expectations. 😊Airports across the world are working together to share best practices and develop a seamless travel experience for you. Once you land at your destination, you may see similar updates at your destination airport. We hope you find this how-to guide helpful for when you return to the skies. If you have further questions before your next trip, you can message the airport on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/CVGairport) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CVGairport/) or contact your airline for additional details.