Who owns a private airport?

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.



Private airports are owned by a diverse range of entities, including individuals, corporations, and private aviation groups. Many are owned by wealthy enthusiasts or farmers who maintain a small grass or paved strip for personal use or crop dusting. Large industrial corporations, such as mining or oil companies in remote locations, often own and operate private airfields to transport executives and workforces directly to job sites. Additionally, some "private" airports are owned by private equity firms or specialized airport management companies like Vinci Airports or Groupe ADP, which operate them as business ventures for general aviation and private charters. In 2026, the FAA classifies a "private-use" airport as one that is not open to the general public or scheduled airline travel, meaning pilots must obtain explicit permission from the owner to land there. These strips are often found in "aviation communities" or airparks, where homeowners have hangars attached to their houses.

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Farnborough Airport (FAB): Positioned about 35 miles southwest of central London, Farnborough is a coveted choice for private jet passengers and the only dedicated business aviation airport in the UK, with over 30,000 aircraft movements per year.

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In the United States, there is only one privately owned and operated airport with scheduled commercial service: Branson, MO, which only has seasonal service to three other destinations.

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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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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.

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The largest and the most pre-eminent business aviation airport in the UK, Farnborough Airport is the business gateway to Europe and beyond.

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Who owns the airports? Since the British Airport Authority (BAA) was privatised in 1986, the state does not own any of the airports in the UK. Heathrow is now owned and run by Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited (formerly BAA), which is in turn owned by FGP Topco Limited, a consortium led by Ferrovial SA of Spain.

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And a runway need not take a great deal of space on a property. An acre is 43,560 square feet so a 2,000-by-75-foot field takes only about 3.5 acres. Runway construction on cleared land is mostly a process of leveling with a tractor and a box blade.

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Private planes do have to pay fees to land at airports, similar to commercial airlines. These fees are often called landing fees or airport fees. They vary depending on a variety of factors such as the weight and type of aircraft, length of stay, and services needed.

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The airport is owned and operated by Gatwick Airport Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ivy Holdco Limited, owned by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), among others.

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Do private jet travellers have to go through security? Yes, however, unlike with commercial airliners, you would go through private jet terminals (FBOs) allowing you to board very quickly. That doesn't mean it is less secure.

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The average maximum per-passenger fee will drop from £31.57 this year to £25.43 in 2024, and should stay flat until at least 2026. Heathrow was campaigning to have the landing fee, which is paid by passengers as part of the cost of their ticket, as high as £40. The fee covers things like security and handling luggage.

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While the airport owns the facilities, it makes money by leasing them to different entities, including retail shops, airlines, and air-freight companies.

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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.

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