Cincinnati /
Northern KentuckyInternational Airport

Cassie Kiser / CVG Airport / November 15, 2024Many travelers share a common thought: I will feel better once I get through the security line and find my gate.Some passengers traveling with disabilities, such as Dr. Kara Ayers, “just want to have the same worries that all the other frenzied air travelers do.”Dr. Kara Ayers is with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and is also associate director at the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She is an expert in accessible travel, not only because of her professional and academic expertise, but also because she uses a wheelchair full-time and often travels through the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Although Dr. Ayers is familiar with flying with a wheelchair, millions of Americans choose not to travel by air with their wheelchair because of historical inadequate practices. CVG Airport is committed to making flying more accessible for all. In spring 2024, [CVG hosted a virtual wheelchair accessibility panel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9a8M9huLto) in partnership with the [University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute](https://hdi.uky.edu/). The goal of the panel was to discuss opportunities for the advancement of accessibility in air travel and to inspire change across the aviation industry. Four full-time wheelchair users, including Dr. Ayers, shared their experiences of flying through CVG and throughout the world. The conversation was moderated by UK’s Jason Jones and was also attended by David Allgood from the Kentucky Center for Accessible Living and Paul Erway of Superior Van and Mobility. During the conversation, the panelists praised CVG’s accessible environment including the airport’s easy-to-navigate, wide hallways. The panelists also said they appreciated familiar faces of employees at CVG. L-R top row: Dr. Kara Ayers, Jason Jones\L-R bottom row: David Allgood, Paul ErwayThe panelists also highlighted improvements that could be considered across the aviation industry. The group spoke about misconceptions when they travel by air. For example, many times they have experienced being assigned an aisle seat on the plane due to the perception that it may be easier for them to transfer from their wheelchair to their assigned seat. Dr. Ayers shed light on how that is not always the easiest and preferred option. “Because I pre-board, that means that I'm already on the plane. I can't get up, so the person who is sitting in the window seat literally [has to] climb over me. For that reason, I would actually prefer a window seat because I can get in that just fine,” said Dr. Ayers. Jones said he often has an experience when a person incorrectly assumes he cannot make decisions for himself and asks questions to the person he is traveling with instead of directly speaking with him. He said another common frustration involves fellow travelers seeing people who are in wheelchairs and choosing not to speak to them because they are afraid of making a mistake. “Don’t miss out on developing a relationship with somebody because you’re scared that you’re going to do something wrong…at the end of the day, it’s about inclusion and making everybody feel like they're part of something,” said Jones. Each of these experts underscore the importance of others recognizing that a wheelchair is an extension of a disabled person’s body. It is critical for wheelchairs to be taken good care of by aviation workers. In addition, wheelchair users can take advantage of accessibility resources that CVG has made available. - CVG has a familiarization tour program that is available to all travelers who would like to receive first-hand experience of the airport journey before their trip, including navigating from ticketing counters on arrival through boarding at the gate. [Click here](https://www.cvgairport.com/business/cvg-tours/) to learn more and request such a tour.- All travelers can contact their airline in advance of travel to communicate specific needs and request accommodations. For wheelchair users, this is a good opportunity to discuss your device’s specific care instructions.- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers personalized assistance during screening through the [TSA Cares program](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/disabilities-and-medical-conditions). [Contact TSA in advance](https://www.tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares) of travel to request this service. These panelists remain optimistic that air travel will continue to be transformed as new accessibility technologies are developed and as airports, airlines, government agencies, and advocacy groups continue to collaborate. Through continued communication, research, and advocacy, air travel will continue to be an equitable mode of transportation for all.All those who travel through CVG are invited to be a part of the conversation. If you have questions or ideas you’d like to share, please reach out to info@cvgairport.com.

November 13, 2024On November 13, 2024, CVG’s board announced that Lawrence J. Krauter, A.A.E., AICP, will succeed Candace McGraw as the airport’s CEO in 2025. Mr. Krauter is a 36-year veteran of the airport industry and currently serves as CEO of Spokane’s (Washington) Airport System, a role in which he has served since 2011.Get to know Larry a bit better and learn why airports and the aviation industry are his passion and life’s work by reading through these five Q&As. 1. Why did you choose a career in airport leadership?During my early childhood, my father traveled often for work, and I remember the excitement of being at the airport to see him off or to welcome him home. There was always so much activity, and the hustle and bustle of workers and passengers made a big impression on me that the airport was an important place. I was also able to fly with my dad from time to time on some of his trips, and I recall being brought up to the cockpit of an Eastern Airlines 727 to meet the flight crew and receive my plastic wings. When I was 11 years old, I announced that I would attend Ohio State University and major in aviation. I had always been interested in public service, as well as city and regional planning, so a career in airport management combined all of those passions. Airports are incredibly complex organizations that must be safe, efficient and financially viable. I have told people many times, in addition to being a leader, I am a serious public servant and a serious business person.2. What has been your proudest professional accomplishment?After 36 years serving in the industry, that is a difficult question to answer as there have been many of those moments! For me, it is about helping people to achieve their professional goals and to be the absolute best that they can be. That translates to the entire airport team being renowned for their abilities and for what we can deliver as a team. I am also proud of developing leaders in the airport management profession. This is followed closely by achieving substantial job creation and economic impact at the airports I have served. A job is the pathway to prosperity and a good life, and supporting regional economic development is something that I have excelled at and enjoy. Finally, I will add that I enjoy solving complex challenges, whether that is in terms of delivering world-class facilities and service or achieving legislative goals. The opportunity to work in such an intellectually demanding role and to be recognized as a leader in the airport management profession is very satisfying.3. What excites you most about the future of the aviation industry?Two things. Airport development is economic development, and aviation can serve as a catalyst for so much more investment in a region, as well as enabling new opportunities through achieving greater connectivity on a global basis. Airports are just at the beginning of being recognized and understood for the true businesses that they are as opposed to being thought of as utilities. ‘Airport Cities’ will continue to develop around innovative transportation and logistics solutions that are driven by airports and their business partners. The airports that achieve this faster will break into new levels of prosperity for their communities.The second thing that excites me are the people that make the vision happen and the excitement around recruiting top talent into the industry, retaining that talent, upskilling that talent, developing leaders and creating a team environment that allows growth and drives outsized results.4. Tell us a little about your family.I have a wonderful and supportive spouse, Robin, and we have been married for over 22 years. She is an accomplished insurance industry professional and an incredible mother to our daughter, Lauren, who is in her senior year at Cal Poly majoring in animal science with the goal to become a veterinarian. We also have an Australian Shepherd named Kalla and an Orange Tabby cat named Scotchy that we have been housing until Lauren reclaims her when she graduates.5. What do you like to do when not working?I enjoy reading, flying general aviation aircraft (I am a single-engine land and seaplane rated pilot) and perennial gardening (Robin is in charge of annuals!).