Since federal authorities regulate civilian airports (the FAA), crimes committed at airports fall under federal jurisdiction. But when someone commits violence or causes life-threatening damage at an international airport, federal law imposes severe penalties.

Airports in the United States operate under a complex jurisdictional "sandwich," but they are heavily governed by federal law through agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The FAA oversees all aspects of civil aviation, including air traffic control, pilot certification, and safety standards for runways and equipment. The TSA, established after 9/11, manages the security screening of passengers and baggage under federal mandate. However, the physical land and daily operations of most airports are owned and managed by local or state entities, such as a city's Department of Aviation or a regional Airport Authority. This means that while federal laws dictate how you fly and how you are screened, state and local laws may govern the airport’s zoning, retail contracts, and police presence. For travelers in 2026, it is important to know that once you step through the security checkpoint, you are in a highly regulated federal environment where "interference with flight crew" or security breaches are prosecuted as federal crimes with severe penalties.