Does the federal government have jurisdiction over airports?
Airports are owned by city, state, and local governments. Some are even owned by individuals and corporations.
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In the US, almost all major airports are government-owned – usually by the local federal or city government. In New York, for example, JFK and La Guardia airports are owned by the City of New York. Newark is owned by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters.
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.
We issue and enforce regulations and minimum standards covering manufacturing, operating, and maintaining aircraft. We certify airmen and airports that serve air carriers.
All but one U.S. commercial airport are owned and operated by public entities, including local, regional or state authorities with the power to issue bonds to finance some of their capital needs.
State and local governments add their own hurdles to private airport development. Government-?owned airports do not pay state or federal income taxes, and they are generally exempt from property taxes. By contrast, a private for-?profit airport would have to pay income and property taxes.