 Airport management concerns itself with making the operations of an airport efficient, safe and

profitable (or at least break even). It must serve the needs – sometimes conflicting of travellers,
tenants (e.g., the airlines and airport shops), government entities, and the airport’s nearby
community. Most of the time, airports belong to a municipal government, but occasionally
they’re operated as private businesses. Among the duties of airport management personnel:
administration, operations, marketing, finances, maintenance, interterminal transportation,
safety, security, policing, fire fighting, and noise abatement.

 Fixed-based operators (FBOs) are companies that provide ground services and support to the
aviation industry. These businesses provide aircraft repair and maintenance (for airlines that do
not have their own maintenance programs at the airport), pilot training, aircraft sales and
rentals, de-icing services and aircraft cabin cleaning services. Their trade association is the
National Air Transportation Association (NATA).

 Airport ancillary services consist of just about every other airport-related supplier you can think
of. Some are based on-site at the airport (e.g., airline caterers, stores, restaurants, and private
security firms); others are based partially or completely off-site (e.g., taxis, shuttle and limo
services, airport hotels, car rental firms, and bus companies).

 Government organizations can be the cities or countries that own the airports (including their
police). However, the government entity that has the most crucial presence at airports is the
FAA, a subsidiary of the U.S. Federal Department of Transportation. The FAA monitors the air
travel system to ensure safety and manage the airspace above the United States (primarily
through their air traffic control facilities). Another subsidiary of the Department of
Transportation is the TSA, which helps keep airports and flights safe.

Note that the above describes how the airport and aviation management operates in the United States.
Most major nations have very similar systems to that in place in the United States.