Which organization runs our airports (excluding TSA)?

• A. Federal Aviation Administration
• B. Transportation Security Administration
• C. Department of Transportation
• D. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Answer: (A)

Civil aviation oversight and the safety framework for airports are handled by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA sets safety standards for airports, certifies facilities, manages air traffic control, and administers funding and rules that affect most public-use airports across the United States. That national leadership is why this agency is the best answer for who runs our airports, aside from security considerations.

The Transportation Security Administration handles security screening, not airport operations. The Department of Transportation oversees broad transportation policy and includes the FAA, but it doesn’t run the airports themselves. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration focuses on weather and climate data, not airport operations. It’s also good to note that many individual airports are owned and run locally by city or regional authorities, with FAA oversight and funding support.