Brick is a hard-working canine officer and a lovable family dog. He and his human partner, officer Nick Ruffing, do a ‘pawsome’ job at keeping the airport safe and secure.What job does Brick do at CVG?Brick is one of the dogs at the airport that detects narcotics; the other type of dogs at CVG detect explosives. Being a German Shorthaired Pointer, he has a very strong nose and a lot of drive.How long has Brick been at the airport?He and his partner completed their training in November 2019.Tell us about Brick’s background.Brick was born in 2018 in Hungary. Many of the working dogs at CVG are from Europe; they are well traveled!Does he like coming to work?Brick, along with his canine officer friends, get very excited to come to work. They enjoy having jobs to do and keeping their minds active. While Brick and his canine friends are very cute, please remember to keep your paws off; the dogs are hard at work.How did Brick get his name?All CVG’s canine officers were named and received extensive training before they joined the police force.What does he do in his off time?When he’s off duty, Brick enjoys relaxing in his massive and luxurious doghouse and spending time with his family.

Beer, bourbon, and black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream. These Cincy region staples are becoming standouts at CVG through the airport’s partnerships with locally owned Braxton Brewing Company, Cork ‘n Bottle, and Graeter’s Ice Cream. These establishments bring local flavor to passengers from around the world.Braxton Brewing CompanyA large greenery wall and window for up-close plane viewing greet travelers as they walk into Braxton’s taproom in Concourse A, along with a bar, televisions, and rows of tables that allow customers, including families, to enjoy meals before or after flights. This taproom, which opened in spring 2023, is Braxton’s first full-service restaurant.“Food is very important to the overall experience, and our location at CVG is helping us lead the way on what having food at all our locations looks like,” says Braxton co-founder and chief executive officer Jake Rouse.Rouse and his team worked with CVG to establish a food menu that caters to a crowd who is looking for a quick bite to eat, especially during the airport’s busiest time: the mornings.The brewery adapted its existing Taco Fuerte menu to feature breakfast tacos and burritos, breakfast nachos, eggs and tots, and more signature items. “People are really loving the menu, the flexibility, and the quickness. We are getting good feedback on the beer as well,” says Rouse.Braxton has not yet used CVG to test new products, although that is something the company may tap into. For now, Braxton’s business is taking advantage of the airport’s captive audience.“We are opening our brand up to so many more customers and potential customers who could go buy our beer at the thousands of locations that sell it across Cincinnati." Down the way from Braxton is long-established Cincinnati sweet shop, Graeter’s. The family-owned, handcrafted ice cream business has been dishing out delicious treats to locals in the Cincy region since 1870 and has been serving travelers from around the world at CVG since 2013. The company started with a smaller scoop of the airport experience when it opened two kiosks: one in Concourse A and one in B.Passengers proved they were craving Graeter’s flavors while on the go, and the sweet shop worked with CVG to replace both kiosks with an inline store in Concourse A. Graeter’s chief of retail operations, Chip Graeter, says this decision was icing on the cake.“What really cemented us in the airport was when we opened our inline store in 2016. I was very proud and excited to be a part of that store,” says Graeter.The fourth-generation owner and operator of the business says starting the store at CVG was an easy process thanks to their relationship with the airport, contractors, and his highly reliable team. The airport store showcases its most popular items across three product lines: ice cream, candy, and baked goods. The busy mornings at CVG allow Graeter’s to serve delicious donuts and comforting coffees to thousands of travelers who fly out of the airport daily."We have the ability to reach people who would never see our store otherwise. They might have heard about Graeter’s in a publication or book, and they can experience it themselves without leaving the airport,” says Graeter.The chief of retail operations is proud to operate a business that brings joy to all. His family’s treats are a great way to sweeten a flight out of CVG and provide a taste of home to those returning.Another taste of home at CVG, especially for Kentucky travelers, can be found at Cork ‘n Bottle. Hundreds of bourbons, including rare varieties, wines, and spirits can be tasted and/or purchased at two locations: an inline store in Concourse B and a kiosk in Concourse A. Later in 2023, the kiosk in Concourse A will be replaced with a second inline store.“We are constantly looking for different business formats. We have found the CVG relationship to be very strong, and we think it’s because of the breadth of customer exposure that the airport provides,” says Tom Neyer, owner of Cork ‘n Bottle. “Being able to introduce Kentucky’s finest spirits to the global audience is good for Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati region.”Cork ‘n Bottle took a similar flight path to Graeter’s and launched its business at CVG as a kiosk in 2018. After two years of successful business, the beverage shop opened its first inline location at the start of the pandemic. Cork ‘n Bottle persevered through its partnership with the airport.“CVG has been \[a\] transparent and constructive business partner,” says Neyer. “The people involved \[from\] top to bottom have been even-handed, fair minded, and are looking for a win-win.” Neyer says his stores at the airport are perfect for travelers looking to grab a bottle to enjoy once they arrive at their destination, or for travelers who want to relax before their flight and try some of the best locally made beverages. Either way, Cork ‘n Bottle’s locations are sure to lift spirits.CVG is always looking to bring more local businesses and flavors to the airport to provide a unique Cincy experience to the more than 7.8 million passengers it serves annually; this includes food, beverage, and retail store concepts. In mid-August 2023, the airport will be open for new business solicitations in these areas. If you’d like more information on how to start doing business at CVG, please [email procurement@cvgairport.com](mailto:procurement@cvgairport.com).

Soft furniture and squeezy chairs\Furniture in the sensory room invite children to plop down and relax.Therapy rocker\The therapy rocker providers gentle movement for children.Interactive walls\One wall plays animal sounds or music as a child places their hand on the wall. The other wall lights up with interesting and calming colors.Bubble tube\The green bubble tube provides children with the opportunity to focus on visual movement.Small house\This small, soft house is for kids who need their own hide-out before or after a busy flight.Where is the sensory room located?\The room is located next to the Over the Rhine Market in Concourse A and diagonal from Starbucks.CVG strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and accessible journey to all travelers. For questions about accessibility, [click here] or [email info@cvgairport.com](mailto:info@cvgairport.com).

Whether you’re flying with family for fun, booking it out of town for business, or sightseeing cities solo, CVG has done our research and we have answers on how early in advance you should book your flight. Here is a hint, the timeframe may have changed from what you have done in previous years.Flying within the United States?CVG can get you where you want to go in any direction within the United States with more than 50 nonstop flight destinations to choose from. Click here to view the list. CVG recommends you book your flight 90 days in advance, about three months, to get the best chance of getting a good deal.Flying outside the United States?CVG has nonstop flights to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Paris, and starting in June, you can fly to London with the airport’s new airline, British Airways. If you want to book a trip outside of the country, it’s best to book at least three to five months in advance.What days of the week will get you the best deal on flights?Generally, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are considered off peak days and carry the lowest fares as long as you’re staying over a weekend, although these prices typically only vary minimally. Don’t forget to arrive earlyExperts are predicting summer 2023 to be the busiest travel season in over a decade. To give yourself plenty of time, arrive at CVG two hours in advance for domestic flights, and at least three hours in advance for international flights.Ready to start booking? [Click here] to view fare deals of out of CVG.

Your vacation starts as soon as you arrive at CVG Airport. Here are some insider tips so you can take off on your trip like a professional.Breeze through lines If you are flying American or United, use CVG’s new service, Bags Inc., to valet-check your bags and check into your flight. There are two stations in the rental car facility on the first or third floor. The service is $3 per bag and is available up to 60 minutes before departure. Learn more [here]. For those who need an extra hand from curb to gate, SkySquad is available, too. This company offers a paid, reservation-based airport assistance experience. Click [here] to learn more. Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to get through security faster. You need to apply in advance for TSA PreCheck, but CLEAR representatives are available at the airport to help you sign up. Check into your flight in advance using your airline’s app or website. You can expect your airline ticket counter to be busy two hours in advance of your flight. Not sure what you can bring through the security checkpoint? TSA has a detailed list on their [website](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all).Fuel up before your flight Starting in early June 2023, Ottonomy robots will deliver Subway to your gate in Concourse A. This is especially helpful for parents who have their hands full (literally) or anyone who prefers to get straight to their gate. You can order ahead online or in person by scanning the QR code on a robot. Learn more at [orderatcvg.com](http://orderatcvg.com/?fbclid=IwAR2YN6FyhjWZEP28oUDIaxHnLq1m74vwa1wpZzizukPucuHwSY-4jd94OQ4). If you’re looking to fill up on local beer before your flight, CVG's new brewery, Braxton Brewing Company is open in Concourse A. This new brewery complements the [many other food and drink options at the airport]. Mornings are the busiest time at CVG, and—you’ve guessed it—a lot of people prefer to get their coffee before they fly. Use the Starbucks app to order ahead and pick up your coffee in [Concourses A or B]. If you arrive at least two hours in advance and want to relax before your flight, we highly recommend the lounges at CVG. Buying a lounge pass gets you unlimited food and drinks before your flight. [The Club CVG] is in Concourse A, and the [Escape Lounge] is in Concourse B. Passengers flying on Delta Air Lines also can take advantage of the [Delta Sky Club](https://www.delta.com/us/en/airports/united-states/cincinnati-sky-club-airport-map) in Concourse B.If you are traveling with kids and ready to be on autopilot:In addition to using the Ottonomy robots listed above, here are other tips if you are traveling with children. Planes + food + playtime. It does not get much better than that if you’re traveling with kids. The play area in Concourse B is in the back of the food court near the windows facing the airfield. It is the perfect place to let your kids burn off energy before they fly. Your kids can eat their food, watch planes take off and land, and play in the fun, animal-themed play area. New. CVG now has a [kids sensory room in Concourse A] just past Over-the-Rhine Market in the corridor heading to Gate A4. If you want to save the screen time for the flight, the information desks located in both concourses, and in the baggage claim area, have coloring sheets and crayons for your kiddos. If you have a child who is flying for the first time, let an airline representative know. Often, they will give kids a special airline pin, and many pilots will give kids a sneak peak of the plane’s controls.In addition to the tips above, we want to remind all travelers to arrive at least two hours in advance if you’re traveling domestically and three hours in advance if you’re traveling internationally. It’s important to [keep all CVG’s parking options on your radar]. This includes CVG Valet, CVG Terminal Garage, CVG ValuPark, and CVG Economy Lot. As you take off on your trip from CVG, whether it is for business or leisure, we would love to see your photos and learn of any pro travel tips you’d like to share with other travelers. Please send them to [cvgcommunications@cvgairport.com](mailto:cvgcommunications@cvgairport.com).

At the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), we’re using innovation to advance our capabilities, our brand, and our industry in alignment with our strategic plan, New Heights. Our approach to innovation is to blend emerging talent and advancing technology to elevate and redefine the role of an airport. We believe it’s time to rethink the airport experience.CVG.ai goes beyond theory. We execute methodical proof-of-concept testing. We find the right partners and pilot test with the ultimate goal to generate unique intellectual property (IP). Our 7,500-acre campus serves as a massive living laboratory, allowing the creation of venture-built products that are practical, affordable, and scalable. Our production models include research and development of CVG’s IP, partners’ IP, or shared IP. CVG.ai serves as a co-developer rather than a traditional customer sourcing a readily available product. This collaborative approach is our commitment to real product development, invaluable research in a complex environment, and growth. CVG and its partners are strategists, leaning into the future within aviation and other industry verticals. Our lab is our partners’ showroom floor for millions of potential customers.Why do we focus on innovation?Our focus is to stay ahead of the curve by predicting what forces and demands will change the aviation industry, as well as related businesses. This ensures the airport remains agile, as we lead the community and industry in terms of supporting new companies and new technologies that will bring the jobs of the future, furthering CVG’s $6.8 billion annual economic impact on the Cincinnati region and beyond.Over the last four years, we’ve grown a well-respected and highly regarded innovation ecosystem. This ecosystem consists of working with a variety of constituents, including startups, universities, established companies (BigCos), and regulatory agencies.What are our focus areas for innovation?You can see some of our work and how we categorize it in [this video](https://youtu.be/v5hyUFUay-o).In the video we outline our innovation focus areas including transport, connect, clean and secure. Each area includes specific strategies and tactics.In future posts, we’ll share more details on some of our partnerships and what the impact has been. You can visit [this page] to view a few case studies of our recent work. To share your insights and feedback, please contact us at [innovation@cvgairport.com](mailto:innovation@cvgairport.com).

Boarding bridges in Concourse B will soon offer passengers a fresh, new experience as they jet on and off their flights. CVG will begin a phased approach to replace all 28 bridges starting in June 2023. This project will span the next two-and-a-half to three years.Recently, CVG learned it will be awarded $14 million for this project through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program. This program and funding was made possible as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. CVG had already been planning to replace these bridges this year, but this funding will accelerate the replacement of all the existing bridges, some of which are close to 30 years old.As the airport continues its ambitious strategic plan, [New Heights], this federal funding will go a long way to improve operational efficiency and provide passengers with a fitting ‘front door’ to the Cincy region.

A college student from Bulgaria chose Cincinnati on a whim for an exchange work program. She ended up falling in love with more than just the Queen City.Krasimira (Krasi) Beck and her friends landed jobs at CVG Airport in the summer of 2004. Krasi worked at a small sandwich restaurant in the former Terminal 2. While she was keeping busy with the influx of passengers, she became close friends with one of her coworkers, Adam.Krasi said Adam was very funny and friendly. They were nothing more than friends that summer, although towards the end of her time in the United States, she noticed Adam started becoming extra helpful towards her and her friends. He even started driving them home after work.Krasi returned to Bulgaria to work on her undergraduate degree. She enjoyed working at CVG Airport, and she was eager to return the next summer.Even though Adam and Krasi were a continent apart for a year, there was a spark between them that did not extinguish while they were living separately. The two started dating when Krasi returned the next summer to work at CVG.This time, Krasi had jobs at two different restaurants at CVG, and her boyfriend, Adam, was a manager for a couple of stores and worked 12-to-13-hour shifts.“We pretty much lived at CVG Airport…we would have our lunch dates in the food court,” said Krasi.When the summer came to an end and it was time for Krasi to return to Bulgaria, she and Adam decided to date long distance. He flew to the small European country that winter to meet Krasi’s family for the holidays.Although the two were very fond of each other, it was quickly becoming time for them to decide their future. Krasi only had one summer left before her senior year of college. She knew she was going to return to CVG to work for a third year, but she was unsure where her and Adam’s relationship was heading. After she graduated, she was either going to pursue her master’s degree or get a full-time job.When Krasi returned to the United States in the summer of 2006, she continued dating Adam, and the two worked long hours at CVG. Her decision then became clear.“Towards the end of the summer, he basically proposed to me. He was like, you’re finishing school, what’s next?” said Krasi. “He said, ‘I want you to stay. I love you.’’”Krasi said she loved Adam too and accepted his proposal. The two were soon married, and Krasi moved permanently from Bulgaria to Northern Kentucky. Her husband, who she fell in love with partially for his humor, jokes to this day about how he had to move from the West Side of Cincinnati for his wife.“I am still hearing to this day how he made this ‘horrible’ switch moving 30 minutes south. I moved five thousand miles and a continent away. He doesn’t mean it in any bad way but if someone asked him how we ended up in Northern Kentucky, he would say, ‘Yep, the wife. I love Cincinnati, I was born and raised here…but it’s because my wife made me move alllll this way.’”Jokes aside, Krasi said they enjoy living in Northern Kentucky. She earned her master’s degree from Northern Kentucky University and appreciates the convenience of living close to the airport.“It’s our home airport to fly anywhere. I used to go back home to Bulgaria every year,” said Krasi.Krasi and Adam now have two kids, a seven-year-old boy named Adrian and a four-year-old girl, Liana.After becoming parents, traveling became more difficult for the Becks. Krasi said recent route additions at CVG are going to make traveling to see her family easier.“We love the fact that there is a direct flight to Paris and now British Airways because it gives us a direct flight to Europe, and we make one connection to Bulgaria.”She said without these nonstop flights from CVG, she would have to make more connections, and it would take them longer to see their loved ones.Krasi said she’s very thankful for all that the airport has made possible for her and Adam.“It’s been our home airport since 2004, so if you really think about it, it’s 19 years…CVG Airport grounded us, and we put our roots down to settle in this location. We are still just five miles away from where our love story started.”Krasi and Adam take their kids back to where their love story began. She points out to their kids where mommy and daddy worked. She also tries to make a point to visit a friend who worked at Starbucks in 2004 and is still there today.She said visiting her friend reminds her of the three summers she worked at CVG. In addition to being where she fell in love with her husband, it also provided a professional milestone. “It’s a surreal feeling…it brings us back. We weren’t high schoolers, but it gives us that feeling. It was my first American job. I didn’t have any jobs in Bulgaria. This was my first job coming here with girlfriends,” said Krasi. “It reminds me of my happiest of memories; it reminds me of my younger years; it reminds me of my romance. Honestly, this is where my husband and I fell in love. We were coworkers at the beginning but that is how we met.”Krasi and Adam now have careers outside of aviation; she is an IT programmer, and Adam is an executive chef at a retirement home. They enjoy spending time around the Cincinnati area with their two kids. She says she looks forward to taking more flights with her family to Paris with Delta Air Lines and to London with British Airways, starting in June 2023. She said she can’t thank CVG enough for all that the airport has done for her and family.

Our Winter Ops team is ready for snow. The team has been practicing winter weather drills since October and will continue to run them until we get our first winter weather event. The drills are practiced every Wednesday morning and night.

Cargo development at CVG has increased exponentially over the last several years as DHL and Amazon have grown their hub presence. At the end of 2021, cargo tonnage was up 18% over 2020 and eclipsed 100% growth over the last five years. While most cargo planes and activity including unloading, sorting and reloading takes place on the south end of the airport campus, there’s another side to the cargo business – general cargo activity on the north end with FedEx.