International airports are governed by a multi-layered regulatory framework involving both global bodies and national authorities. At the global level, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)—a specialized agency of the United Nations—sets the standards and "Recommended Practices" (SARPs) for safety, security, and environmental protection that all international airports must follow. However, ICAO does not "run" the airports; they provide the legal blueprint. Domestically, each country has its own civil aviation authority, such as the FAA in the United States, the EASA in Europe, or the DGCA in India, which enforces these global standards and issues the operating licenses to the airports. At the local level, the actual operation and management of the airport are handled by an Airport Authority (which can be a government body, a non-profit, or a private corporation). Thus, while a private company might manage the daily "shops and gates," they are legally bound by a strict hierarchy of national and international laws that ensure your flight is safe regardless of which country you are in.