2022 Census of Governments Shows Number of Airport Authorities and How They Are Funded

Nearly three million people travel by air every day in the United States and as we enter the busy holiday travel season, we explore who manages the nation’s public airports and how they’re funded.

According to the Census of Governments (CoG), there are 435 independent special districts operating as airport authorities, airport commissions, or port authorities across the United States.

In addition, local governments such as counties and municipalities, and state governments, may also operate airport authorities. They are all responsible for the behind-the-scenes operations at public airports.

As of the 2022 CoG, there were 435 independent airport authorities and commissions nationwide. The Midwest had the most (189) of any region, followed by the South (159).

The CoG gathers data on all government organizations, public employment and payroll, and government finances at state and local levels every five years. It does not include data on private enterprises such as privately-run airports.

The recently published 2022 Individual State Descriptions summarize the legal authority and structure of local U.S. governments, including airport authorities and how they handle airport safety, maintenance and operations.

Independent airport authorities are considered special district governments that are separate entities from general-purpose local governments like cities and counties. Airport authorities vary in size of operations from those that manage very small, often rural, airports to international connectors such as the San Bernardino International Airport Authority in California.

Airport authorities are typically governed by a board of directors or commissioners legally authorized to carry out an airport’s business without direction or control from county commissioners, for example, or other local government officials.

For funding, airport authorities can issue bonds, charge rental fees and determine the amount of tax to be levied by the sponsoring government in support of airport operations.

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