Griffing Sandusky Airport

The closure was for economic and real estate development reasons. The Griffing family, who had owned and operated the airport since its inception, sold the 97-acre property to Cedar Fair, the parent company of the nearby Cedar Point amusement park. The land was considered highly valuable for commercial redevelopment due to its proximity to the popular tourist destination. The aviation business itself, Griffing Flying Service, did not fail; it simply relocated its operations.

The airport site has been completely redeveloped and is no longer recognizable as an airfield. The runways, taxiways, and most original hangars have been removed. The property is now the location of the 'Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center,' a large, modern sports complex with numerous synthetic turf fields for baseball, softball, soccer, and lacrosse tournaments.

Founded in 1937 by Harry Griffing, the airport was a vital general aviation hub for the Sandusky area for over 75 years. It was a private, public-use airport that played a crucial role in connecting the mainland to the Lake Erie Islands. Its primary operations included flight training, aircraft rental, and charter services. Most notably, Griffing Flying Service ran a renowned and essential air taxi service from the airport to Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island). This service was a lifeline for island residents and a popular transport method for tourists, especially during the winter months when ice on the lake would halt ferry services.

There are zero prospects for the airport to reopen. The land has been permanently repurposed and extensively redeveloped. The original operator, Griffing Flying Service, successfully moved its entire operation to the Erie-Ottawa International Airport (KPCW) in Port Clinton, Ohio, where it continues to provide flight services to the Lake Erie Islands and the surrounding region.