A free vortex may be captured by an airfoil for lift augmentation, but the vortex is unstable to small disturbances at most of its equilibrium positions, except at those in a narrow region above the trailing edge. It is found in the present work that additional stable vortex positions can be created by applying suction through the upper surface of the airfoil. By using the method of surface suction, strong vortices may become stably trapped above the airfoil for generating lift forces that are much higher than that of the original airfoil.