Maryland's Airport Operations: Who's In Control?

Maryland owns and operates two airports: Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Martin State Airport. Both airports are run by the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), an agency of the Department of Transportation. The MAA is responsible for governing BWI Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport, as well as other organisations. Maryland has a total of 18 airports, including municipal airports maintained or operated by municipal governments, and county airports maintained or operated by county governments.

Maryland owns and operates two airports: Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Martin State Airport

Maryland owns and operates two airports: Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport. Both airports are run by the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), an agency of the Department of Transportation.

BWI Marshall Airport, located just south of Baltimore City in northern Anne Arundel County, offers both passenger and cargo flights to domestic and international destinations. It is one of the fastest-growing large airports in the United States, with nonstop flight service to 63 domestic and 13 international destinations. In 2014, BWI Marshall Airport served 22.3 million passengers, with an average of 61,131 passengers per day. The airport has undergone various expansion and improvement projects over the years, including the addition of parking spaces, a new runway to accommodate long-haul traffic, and an international pier.

Martin State Airport, located in southeastern Maryland, is one of the largest general aviation facilities on the East Coast. The airport has a rich history, starting as an airplane production facility built by aviation designer and constructor Glenn L. Martin in 1929. During World War II, the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company produced B-10 and B-26 bombers, the China Clipper, and the Martin Mars planes at the facility. In 1975, the State of Maryland purchased 747 acres of the airport from the Martin Marietta Corporation.

The Maryland Aviation Administration plays a crucial role in governing and managing these airports, ensuring efficient operations and providing necessary enhancements to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and maintain high standards of service quality.

The Maryland Aviation Administration

Martin State Airport, located in Baltimore County, was purchased by the State of Maryland and assigned to the MAA in 1975. The airport began in 1929 as an airplane production facility built by aviation designer and constructor Glenn L. Martin. During World War II, the facility produced B-10 and B-26 bombers, the China Clipper, and the Martin Mars planes.

BWI Marshall Airport offers both passenger and cargo flights to domestic and international destinations and is one of the fastest-growing large airports in the United States. In 2014, the airport served 22.3 million passengers and handled 240.3 million pounds of air cargo. BWI Marshall Airport is the busiest and most convenient airport in the Baltimore-Washington region, serving over 27 million passengers annually.

The MAA's objectives are to manage these airports to enable growth in the regional economy and to enhance customers' travel experiences. The MAA fosters the vitality of aviation statewide and promotes safe and efficient operations, economic viability, and environmental stewardship. The MAA has developed programs such as the Maryland Aid to Private Airports Program and the Airport Equipment Loan Program.

The MAA's website includes information on employment, procurement of goods and services, community relations, permits and forms, construction and regional aviation, and other related links.

Airport classifications

The State of Maryland owns and operates two airports: Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport. Both are run by the Maryland Aviation Administration, an agency of the Department of Transportation.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a system for categorizing public-use airports. The FAA's categorisation is primarily based on the level of commercial passenger traffic through each facility. The categories are as follows:

• Commercial Service Airports: These are publicly-owned airports that have at least 2,500 passenger boardings each calendar year and receive scheduled passenger service.
• Non-primary Commercial Service Airports: Commercial service airports that have at least 2,500 and no more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year.
• Primary Airports: Commercial service airports that have more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year.
• Non-hub primary: Airports handling over 10,000 but less than 0.05% of the country's annual passenger boardings.
• Small hub primary: Airports with 0.05-0.25% of the country's annual passenger boardings.
• Medium hub primary: Airports handling 0.25-1% of the country's annual passenger boardings.
• Large hub primary: Airports handling over 1% of the country's annual passenger boardings.
• Reliever airports: These are large general-aviation airports located in metropolitan areas that serve to offload small aircraft traffic from hub airports in the region.
• General aviation airports: To qualify for the AIP, they must have at least 10 aircraft based there but handle fewer than 2,500 scheduled passengers each year.

Airport facilities and beautification

The State of Maryland owns and operates two airports: Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport. Both airports are run by the Maryland Aviation Administration, an agency of the Department of Transportation.

Maryland has been actively investing in its airport infrastructure, with a multi-million-dollar construction program that began in 1994 and continues to this day. This program aims to expand and enhance airport facilities and beautification. As part of this initiative, parking options have been significantly improved, with the addition of 3,400 public parking spaces in satellite lots and the construction of a new daily parking garage that offers 8,400 parking spaces and a "Smart Park" vehicle guidance system.

The BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, one of the fastest-growing large airports in the United States, offers a convenient location just south of Baltimore City in northern Anne Arundel County. The airport caters to both passenger and cargo flights, providing nonstop service to 63 domestic and 13 international destinations. In 2014, it served 22.3 million passengers, with an average of 61,131 passengers per day. The airport also handled a significant amount of air cargo, totaling 240.3 million pounds in 2013.

To accommodate long-haul traffic, a 10,500-foot runway has been constructed. Additionally, an international pier, the Governor William Donald Schaefer International Terminal, was opened in 1997, featuring the Maryland Central Light Rail Line on its lower level. This terminal enhances the airport's capacity to serve international travelers and provides convenient access to rail transportation.

Martin State Airport, located in southeastern Maryland, is one of the largest general aviation facilities on the East Coast. The airport has a rich history, initially established in 1929 as an airplane production facility by aviation designer and constructor Glenn L. Martin. During World War II, the facility produced bombers and planes for the war effort. Today, it continues to serve general aviation needs and is a vital part of Maryland's aviation infrastructure.

To ensure the cleanliness and operational efficiency of these airports, Maryland partners with companies like Flagship Aviation Services, which provide advanced cleaning technologies and integrated facility management services. These services enhance the overall passenger experience and help Maryland's airports maintain high standards of quality and competitiveness.

Through these ongoing investments and improvements, Maryland demonstrates its commitment to providing safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing airport facilities that meet the needs of travelers and promote economic growth in the region.

Airport history

The history of airports in Maryland can be traced back to the late 18th century, when possibly the first recorded manned flight in a balloon occurred over Baltimore in 1784. However, it wasn't until the early 20th century that Maryland began to establish laws and infrastructure for aviation. In 1927, Maryland passed its Uniform State Law for Aeronautics, followed by the creation of the State Aviation Commission in 1929.

Martin State Airport, one of the largest general aviation facilities on the East Coast, began in 1929 as an airplane production facility built by Glenn L. Martin, an aviation designer and constructor. During World War II, the facility produced bombers and planes for the war effort, and runways were added. In 1975, the State of Maryland purchased 747 acres of the airport from the Martin Marietta Corporation.

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Logan Field, the first commercial aviation facility in Maryland, opened in Baltimore. Regular airmail service and scheduled passenger service from Logan Field soon followed. In the 1940s, a master plan for a new airport in Maryland was developed, and construction began on Friendship International Airport, located 10 miles south of Baltimore and 30 miles north of Washington, D.C. President Harry S. Truman dedicated Friendship International Airport on June 24th, and it was considered the most advanced airport in the United States at the time.

In the 1970s, the State Aviation Commission transitioned into an administration under the newly formed Department of Transportation. In 1972, the administration took over the operation of Friendship International Airport, which was later renamed Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport. BWI has since become one of the fastest-growing large airports in the United States, offering both passenger and cargo flights to domestic and international destinations.

Over the years, BWI has undergone significant expansion and improvement projects, including the addition of parking facilities, international terminals, and new runways to accommodate long-haul traffic. The airport has received numerous accolades, including being ranked first for airport service quality by the Airports Council International in 2009.

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