What airports are federally owned?

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.



In the United States, most commercial airports are owned by local or state governments (or regional "port authorities"), not the federal government. However, there are a few notable exceptions in 2026. The most prominent are Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) and Washington Dulles International (IAD); these are owned by the federal government but operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) under a long-term lease. Additionally, the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) is owned by the South Jersey Transportation Authority but sits on land shared with the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center. Many smaller airfields on military bases or federal research sites (such as those owned by NASA or the Department of Energy) are also federally owned. Outside the U.S., many countries have moved away from federal ownership toward "privatization" or "semi-autonomous" state-owned corporations to increase efficiency and infrastructure investment in the post-2020 aviation recovery era.

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Airports are locally owned and operated. 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.

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There is only one fully privatized airport within USA territory (Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico). More than 500 commercial airports in the USA are owned by state and local governments; the federal government provides financial aid for capital improvements.

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The only privately owned airport in the United States with commercial airline service is Branson Airport in Branson, Missouri. While a few airlines have flown to Branson at various times, currently the only airline there is Frontier. There are many privately-owned airports for small general aviation aircraft.

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Over the past 20 years of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Airport Privatization Pilot Program (APPP), only two airports have successfully navigated the process: Luis Munez International Airport (LMM) in Puerto Rico and Stewart Airport in Newburgh, New York.

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Close to 39 percent of these airports (79 airports) have full private ownership, while 61 percent (126 airports) are 'public-private partnerships' involving a combination of private and public shareholders. The report also concludes that private shareholders have a stronger footing at larger airports.

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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.

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Private airports can also be airports that are owned and operated by private individuals and are not open to anyone but those who own them. However, access to a private airport is not completely out of the question if you have the pre-approval of the owner or operator of that airport.

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The FAA designates private airfields as “Restricted, Private Use” airports. Yet, many owners allow other pilots to use them. Some think a better term would be “Conditional Use” because other pilots may use the airfield if certain conditions are met. Some owners want to be called and asked first.

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Owners can draw rents from flight schools, airport brokerages, and cargo companies that set up onsite, and as with commercial airports, landing and parking fees are levied on planes. The rec room and waiting area also incur charges.

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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.

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