How an Airport Works to Serve People The operation of an airport is a highly complex relationship between a number of government and private organizations. Each organization plays an important role in the activities necessary to provide a city, a region, a nation, and the world with a modern air transportation system. Basically, these are the major organizations involved in making a major airport work to serve the people: Airport operator U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Commercial air carriers Airport Operator The airport operator is primarily responsible for the physical elements of the airport, they include: Runways Fueling facilities Passenger terminals The operator rents space to individuals and organizations who wish to use its facilities. "Tenants" include aviation-related enterprises and those businesses serving the traveler. Revenues from such enterprises, and from landing fees charged to the airlines, permit many airports to operate without utilizing general tax funds. Aviation related enterprises include: Commercial air carriers Private flying schools Air cargo carriers Executive aircraft facilities Small aircraft engine maintenance shops   Passenger services include: Car rental companies Gift shops and newsstands Restaurants Parking As with most businesses, the airport operator is interested in attracting new tenants. A prospective tenant may look for: Current tenant satisfaction Current and projected service requirements Also, the airport operator is continually upgrading facilities and services to meet increasing user demands. To do so, the airport manager may: Build new runways Build or improve existing passenger terminals Create new concessionaire opportunities in retailing and food and beverage services Build new roads for easier access Like other local industries, an airport contributes to the community by: Creating jobs both on and off the airport Contributing to the economic growth of the region Attracting new businesses and people Paying taxes To ensure the safety of the flying public, an airport is very heavily regulated by local, state and national laws and regulations which govern how it may be built and operated. Airport facilities are inspected regularly to insure compliance with these regulations. Public airports have the status of a public trust. Because of this status, changes in their operation cannot be made without due consideration of how such changes will affect the majority of citizens who have come to depend on the service. Thus, public airports cannot be opened, closed or operated arbitrarily.