Estes Airport

The primary reason for closure was economic pressure and urban encroachment. The land, located in a rapidly developing commercial corridor near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and Interstate 71/75, became significantly more valuable for industrial and commercial development than for use as a small general aviation airport. The expansion of the city of Florence surrounded the property, making its redevelopment for higher-value use inevitable.

The airport site has been completely and irreversibly redeveloped. All aviation infrastructure, including the runway, taxiways, and hangars, has been demolished. The land is now a large industrial park occupied by several massive distribution centers and warehouses. Notable tenants include a Wayfair distribution center and a Veritiv facility. The only public remnant of the airport's existence is the name of the road that runs through the development: 'Estes Drive'.

Established around 1970, Estes Airport was a vital public-use general aviation facility for Northern Kentucky for approximately 30 years. It featured a single paved asphalt runway (18/36) that was initially 3,000 feet long and later extended to 3,600 feet. The airport served the local community of private pilots, business travelers, and aviation enthusiasts. Operations included flight training, aircraft rental, fuel services, and hangar storage for private aircraft. It was a classic example of a local community airport that supported the region's general aviation needs before being overtaken by urban growth.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening Estes Airport. The land has been fully redeveloped with large, permanent industrial structures, making any return to aviation use impossible.