By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

In a victory for residents, City Council on Wednesday all but ruled out any expansion of Lunken Airport beyond its current clientele of corporate, charter and other general aviation.

"We don't want a Southwest Airlines operating out of there," Councilman Chris Monzel said.

In an 8-1 vote, council passed Monzel's "guiding principles" for an airport master plan that's in the works. The principles steer the master plan committee away from allowing scheduled commercial flights and toward addressing east-side residents' noise concerns.

"We don't want to find out six months down the line that we're off the track," Councilwoman Laketa Cole said. "Hopefully, we will come back with something that is neighborhood-friendly."

Dozens of neighbors, who have united to fight attempts to add scheduled commercial flights at Lunken, turned out.

"It is crucial that we understand the consequences of increased air traffic," Mount Washington resident Judy Zehren said.

Bob Bibb, president of the Linwood Community Council, was more blunt: "Leave the airport as it is."

However, Flamingo Air official Sharon McGee spoke against council's guidelines. "We ask that you support our effort to bring reliable, low-cost service to the Cincinnati area," McGee said.

Only Councilman Jim Tarbell voted against Monzel's motion, saying the master-plan process should be allowed to continue unfettered. The master plan will be developed by residents, airport users and aviation experts and voted on by council.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com