The ownership of airport land is a complex mix of government and private entities, often operating under a "Public-Private Partnership" (PPP) model. In many countries, including the United States and India, the land is technically owned by the government (at the local, state, or federal level) but is leased to an airport authority or a private corporation for decades-long periods. In India, for example, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages a vast amount of land, while private consortia (like Adani or GMR) hold long-term concessions to operate and expand the facilities. In 2026, we see significant government activity in land acquisition for airport expansions, such as the Meghalaya government's recent acquisition of private and defense land for the Shillong airport. While the "operational" rights can be sold or privatized, the underlying soil is frequently regarded as a "strategic national asset" and remains under sovereign control to ensure long-term transportation security and regulatory oversight.