Types of Airport Sponsors
This entity, usually a public body, is legally responsible for the ownership, management, operation and development of an airport.
What is an airport sponsor?
This body ensures compliance with legal requirements, approves agreements, and adopts planning and compliance documents.
What is an airport sponsor’s governing body?
The governing body adopts these documents that guide long-term development, budgeting and operations.
What are Primary Planning Documents?
Unlike a governing body, this group has no decision-making authority but provides recommendations and insight.
What is an airport advisory body?
These public sponsors own about 766 airports and are typically governed by a board of county commissioners or supervisors.
What are counties?
These entities, such as city councils or boards of trustees, govern municipally owned airports but also manage other local functions.
What are municipal governing bodies?
This document outlines the airport’s mission, vision and goals and is a critical management tool.
What is the Strategic Airport Business Plan?
These representatives help bridge the gap between the airport and local residents by addressing noise and traffic concerns.
Who are community representatives on the advisory body?
This category of sponsor includes authorities and districts created by governmental action to manage transportation infrastructure.
What are port authorities, airport authorities and airport districts?
This governing body type focuses solely on airport functions and usually consists of a board of commissioners or directors.
What is an airport authority or airport district board?
Rules and Regulations, Minimum Standards and Leasing Policies are examples of these documents adopted for consistent operations.
What are Primary Management Compliance Documents (PMCDs)?
The advisory body adds value by reviewing strategic plans and budgets to support this key airport objective.
What is financial sustainability or fiscal responsibility?
Approximately 937 of these public-use airports are owned by private entities rather than governmental bodies.
What are privately owned public-use airports?
Among its core responsibilities are legal compliance, risk management, policy enforcement, and ethical governance.
What is the compliance role of the airport governing body?
The governing body reviews these agreements to ensure they are legally sound, financially prudent and aligned with airport goals.
What are airport agreements (leases, permits and contracts)?
Providing input on technology and innovation helps the advisory body keep the airport aligned with these industry trends.
What are advancements in aviation technology and innovation?
This unique sponsor type includes tribal councils and business committees that govern Native Nations’ airports.
What are Native Nation airport sponsors?
This strategic function developed by the governing body manages the airport’s public image and community engagement.
What is the airport public relations strategy?
These documents include plans such as the Master Plan, Layout Plan and Land Use Plan and are later discussed in Module 2, Section B.
What are the airport’s Primary Planning Documents?
By reviewing performance and key metrics, the advisory body encourages this process of ongoing enhancement.
What is continuous improvement?