Who owns Tampa airport?

Tampa International Airport (IATA: TPA, ICAO: KTPA, FAA LID: TPA) (known as Drew Field Municipal Airport until 1952) is an international airport six miles (9.7 km) west of Downtown Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. The airport is publicly owned by Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA).



Tampa International Airport (TPA) is a publicly owned facility, governed and operated by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA). In 2026, the airport remains a key economic engine for the Tampa Bay region, but it is not "owned" by the city of Tampa or the county in a traditional sense; rather, the HCAA is an autonomous "special district" created by the Florida Legislature. This structure allows the airport to be self-sustaining, using revenues from airlines, parking, and concessions to fund its operations and massive expansion projects rather than relying on local taxpayer dollars. The Authority is governed by a five-member board that includes the Mayor of Tampa and a Hillsborough County Commissioner, ensuring local political oversight while maintaining the financial independence needed to manage its 2026 status as one of the top-rated airports for passenger experience in the United States.

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