Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) general aviation airports. Both play an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation service.

No, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is publicly owned. It is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which is a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles. While it is a government-owned entity, it is "self-supporting," meaning it does not receive money from the city's general tax fund. Instead, it generates its own revenue through landing fees charged to airlines, terminal leases, parking fees, and concessions (shops and restaurants). This revenue is strictly "ring-fenced" by federal law, meaning any money LAX earns must be reinvested back into the airport's operations and capital improvements rather than being used for other city services. A seven-member Board of Airport Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, governs the airport's policy. While the terminals themselves may have private partnerships for construction and management, the land and the overall infrastructure remain the property of the citizens of Los Angeles.