Owais Crawford
Airports in the United States are managed by a combination of federal, state, and local authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an operating mode of the U.S. Department of Transportation, plays a significant role in regulating aviation safety, air traffic control, and airport development. Additionally, there are 435 independent special districts operating as airport authorities, airport commissions, or port authorities across the country, with the Midwest leading in numbers. These entities are responsible for the behind-the-scenes operations at public airports, and their presence does not always correlate with higher airport revenue or expenditure within a state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of independent airport authorities and commissions | 435 |
| Region with the most independent airport authorities | Midwest (189) |
| Region with the second-most independent airport authorities | South (159) |
| State with the most airport authorities | Illinois (30) |
| State with the highest airport revenue | California ($4.299 billion) |
| States with no independent airport authorities but high airport revenue | New York and Texas |
| Organization that provides air navigation service within the National Airspace System | Air Traffic Organization (ATO) |
| Organization that oversees standards for airport safety, inspection, design, construction, and operation | Airports (ARP) |
| Organization that regulates aeronautical certification of personnel and aircraft | Aviation Safety (AVS) |
| Organization that ensures protection of U.S. assets during the launch or reentry of commercial space vehicles | Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) |
| Organization that responds to civil aviation security threats | Department of Homeland Security |
| Organization that shifted to a more step-by-step approach to provide controllers with advanced equipment | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
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What You'll Learn
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The FAA regulates civil aviation in the US and surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic control, certification of personnel and aircraft, setting standards for airports, and protecting US assets during the launch or re-entry of commercial space vehicles. The FAA also has the power to set aircraft noise standards and regulate high-altitude kite and balloon flying.
The FAA operates five "lines of business": Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Aviation Safety (AVS), Airports (ARP), Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST), and Security and Hazardous Materials Safety (ASH). ATO provides air navigation services within the National Airspace System, with employees operating air traffic control facilities. AVS is responsible for the aeronautical certification of personnel and aircraft, including pilots, airlines, and mechanics. ARP plans and develops the national airport system and oversees standards for airport safety, inspection, design, construction, and operation. The office awards $3.5 billion annually in grants for airport planning and development. AST ensures the protection of US assets during the launch or reentry of commercial space vehicles. ASH is responsible for reducing the risk of terrorism and other crimes, investigations, materials safety, and infrastructure protection.
The FAA also encourages volunteerism in promoting aviation safety through the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), which works with volunteers to promote safety education and outreach nationwide.
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Local and state governments
In addition to these independent authorities, local governments, including counties and municipalities, and state governments, may also have a hand in operating airport authorities. They are responsible for reporting air transportation financial data in the Census of Governments. Notably, some states with high aviation revenue, such as New York and Texas, have no independent airport authorities, opting instead for local or state-level management of air transportation finances.
Public airport authorities can be funded through taxes or bonds, and their total revenue may exceed what is generated solely by airport operations. For instance, the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport Board operates the DFW International Airport, but their expenditures extend beyond airport operations.
The number of airport authorities in a state does not always correlate with higher airport revenue or expenditure. California, for instance, has only 15 airport authorities but generates the highest air transportation revenue in the nation at $4.299 billion. On the other hand, Illinois stands out as the only state in the top five for both the number of airport authorities (30) and air transportation revenue ($1.303 billion).
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Airport authorities and commissions
Funding for these airport authorities comes from various sources, including issuing bonds, charging rental fees, and determining the amount of tax to be levied by the sponsoring government to support airport operations. The revenue generated by airport authorities can be higher than what is generated by airport operations alone due to funding from taxes or bonds. For example, New York and Texas have no independent airport authorities, but they ranked second and third in revenue, respectively, with their air transportation finances managed at the local or state level.
The Census of Governments (CoG) tracks all public revenues and expenditures, which is why some states with no independent airport authorities still produce total revenue and expenditures for air transportation. An example is the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport Board, which operates the DFW International Airport and is governed by 12 members representing the cities that own the airport jointly.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also involved in regulating and overseeing various aspects of aviation in the US. It was previously known as the Federal Aviation Agency and became part of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1967, along with other agencies like the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration. The FAA has responsibilities related to air traffic control, aircraft and personnel certification, airport safety standards, and more. Over the years, the FAA has worked on automating its air traffic control facilities and enhancing its systems to keep pace with air traffic growth.
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Air traffic control
Airports in the United States are managed by a combination of federal, state, and local authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, plays a significant role in regulating and overseeing various aspects of aviation, including air traffic control and airport safety.
The FAA's responsibilities related to air traffic control are carried out by its Air Traffic Organization (ATO). The ATO provides air navigation services within the National Airspace System and operates air traffic control facilities, including Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCT), Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACONs), and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC).
In addition to the FAA, there are also independent airport authorities, airport commissions, or port authorities that manage and operate public airports across the country. According to the 2022 Census of Governments (CoG), there were 435 of these independent special districts nationwide. These airport authorities are responsible for the behind-the-scenes operations at public airports. The number of airport authorities varies by state, and they can be funded through taxes or bonds.
It's worth noting that some airports are operated directly by local or state governments. In these cases, the financial data related to air transportation is reported by the respective government entities in the Census of Governments. The FAA has also worked closely with major commercial airports to address issues such as noise pollution and has made significant investments in satellite technology to improve communications, navigation, and airspace management.
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Aviation security
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for regulating aviation security and operating airport screening checkpoints. The TSA has implemented multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen, to protect against terrorist attacks, which remain a persistent threat. These security measures include enhanced screening of passengers and their belongings, as well as restrictions on large personal electronic devices for certain flights.
Additionally, cargo security and screening are crucial aspects of aviation security. This task is often carried out by regulated agents or airlines' and airports' own security staff, who are tested and certified by aviation security regulators like the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
The US has also invested in new technologies to enhance aviation security. For instance, the UK once trialled backscatter X-ray machines for passenger screening, which provided a detailed view of a person and their belongings. While these machines are no longer in use, they have been replaced by millimeter-wave scanners that detect hidden items without revealing the passenger's body.
Furthermore, aviation security extends beyond the physical protection of airports and aircraft. The Department of Homeland Security plays a crucial role in civil aviation security, especially in the context of responding to potential threats and incidents. The security measures are constantly evolving to address current and emerging threats, with the understanding that air travel remains a target for terrorist groups.
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Frequently asked questions
Airports in the US are controlled by independent special districts operating as airport authorities, airport commissions, or port authorities. Local governments such as counties and municipalities, and state governments may also operate airport authorities.
As per the 2022 Census of Governments, there were 435 independent airport authorities and commissions in the US.
Public airport authorities are funded via taxes or bonds.
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