Airports are more than runways and terminals. They connect cities, help airlines deal with cargo and offer space for shops, restaurants, parking and other services. Behind these places are airport operators and public aviation authorities who handle daily operations, infrastructure, security coordination and future development.

The USA has some of the airports in the world and many are run by city departments or separate airport authorities instead of regular private companies. For this list the ranking is mainly based on 2025 passenger traffic at the airports that each operator manages. This offers a way to compare how big each operator’s work is rather than looking at revenue because airport authorities use different ways to account for money and many are public organizations.

The list includes operators who’re in charge of airports like JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Atlanta, O’Hare, DFW, Denver, LAX, Orlando, Miami and San Francisco. The financial numbers are the recent and accurate ones, from their reports and the financial year is clearly stated when it is available.

1. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Category	Details
Founded	1921
Headquarters	New York, New York
Latest Revenue	$1.85 billion aviation fees (2025)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Not separately reported
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, aviation infrastructure, terminal development, airport facilities and transportation infrastructure

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey runs a set of airports that serve the New York metropolitan region. Its airport network includes John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and New York Stewart International Airport.

In 2025, its commercial airports handled 142.7 million passengers making this the largest airport operation on the list by passenger volume. JFK handled 62.6 million passengers, Newark about 47 million and LaGuardia about 32.8 million.

The Port Authority reported $1.846 billion in aviation fees in 2025. This is not the same as the Authority’s revenue because it also operates bridges, tunnels, PATH and port facilities.

2. City of Atlanta Department of Aviation

Category	Details
Founded	1926
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia
Latest Revenue	$738.0 million (FY2025)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Not separately reported
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, passenger terminals, parking, ground transportation, concessions and aviation facilities

The City of Atlanta Department of Aviation manages Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s airports. The Atlanta’s handled 106.3 million passengers in 2025 putting its operator second on this list by passenger traffic.

The airport’s history goes back to the commercial flight in Atlanta in 1926.

For FY2025, the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation airport financial data showed $738.0 million in operating revenue. The revenue came from areas such as airline-related charges, parking, rental cars, food and beverage, retail and terminal services.

3. Chicago Department of Aviation

Category	Details
Founded	1945*
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois
Latest Revenue	$1.61 billion (2024)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Not separately reported
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, passenger terminals, airline facilities, parking, concessions and ground transportation

The Chicago Department of Aviation manages O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. Together the two airports handled around 103.9 million passengers in 2025.

O’Hare has been part of Chicago’s aviation system since the city selected the site in 1945. The commercial operations began in 1955.

The latest available audited operating figure cited in the 2025 O’Hare financing material is about $1.61 billion in 2024 operating revenue for O’Hare. The Department also oversees Midway making its overall airport network larger than the O’Hare figure suggests.

*The 1945 date refers to the development of Chicago’s airport system rather than the creation date of the present administrative department.

4. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Category	Details
Founded	1974
Headquarters	DFW Airport, Texas
Latest Revenue	$1.30 billion (FY2025)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Not separately reported
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, passenger terminals, airline facilities, parking, concessions and cargo services

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is one of the airport operations in the country. DFW became operational on January 13 1974 after Dallas and Fort Worth worked together to create a regional airport.

The airport handled 85.66 million passengers in 2025, ranking it fourth among US airports by passenger traffic..

DFW’s FY2025 financial information shows about $1.302 billion in operating revenue. The airport earns money through airline charges, terminal activity, parking, concessions and other airport services.

Its size also makes DFW an important cargo and connecting hub for the United States.

5. Denver Department of Aviation

Category	Details
Founded	1995
Headquarters	Denver, Colorado
Latest Revenue	Not publicly available in a directly comparable FY2025 total
Latest Net Income/PAT	Not separately reported
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, passenger terminals, parking, concessions, cargo and ground transportation

Denver International Airport, managed by the City and County of Denver through its Department of Aviation handled 82.4 million passengers in 2025. That made the Denver Department of Aviation the busiest individual airport in the USA.

DEN opened to the public on February 28 1995. The City and County of Denver. Operates the airport while the Denver Department of Aviation oversees its management and operations.

Denver publishes passenger and concession reports but the available public material does not provide a single directly comparable FY2025 total revenue figure in the same format as some other operators. The Denver Department of Aviation airport generated income, from airline activity, parking, rental cars and concessions.

6. Los Angeles World Airports

Category	Details
Founded	1928*
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Latest Revenue	$2.07 billion (FY2025)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Change in net position: $328.4 million (FY2025)
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, airline facilities, terminal rentals, parking, concessions and aviation services

Los Angeles World Airports or LAWA is the department of the City of Los Angeles that manages Los Angeles International Airport and Van Nuys Airport.

The LAX site began operating as Mines Field in 1928 with commercial airline service starting in 1946.

LAX alone handled about 75.2 million passengers in the year 2025 according to LAWA’s annual report.

LAWA reported $2.074 billion in operating revenue for the year 2025. This includes revenue from aviation, concessions and other operations. Its change in position was about $328.4 million.

*1928 Refers to the beginning of the LAX airport operation that forms the center of LAWAs system.

7. Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

Category	Details
Founded	1975
Headquarters	Orlando, Florida
Latest Revenue	$943.97 million (FY2025)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Increase in net position: $440.37 million (FY2025)
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, passenger terminals, ground transportation, concessions, hotel and rail facilities

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, commonly called GOAA manages Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport. Orlando International handled around 57.7 million passengers in 2025 making GOAA one of the airport operators in the country.

GOAA’s year 2025 financial report showed $943.97 million in operating revenue. Airline activity, ground transportation and concessions were contributors to this revenue.

The authority recorded an increase in position of $440.37 million during fiscal year 2025. This figure includes capital contributions and other financial items so it should not be seen as a corporate net profit.

8. Miami-Dade Aviation Department

Category	Details
Founded	1928*
Headquarters	Miami, Florida
Latest Revenue	$1.00 billion (FY2025)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Change in net position: -$15.87 million (FY2025)
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, passenger terminals, cargo, concessions, parking and aviation facilities

The Miami-Dade Aviation Department operates Miami International Airport and other aviation facilities under Miami-Dade County. MIA is especially important for travel and air cargo.

Miami International Airport handled 55.3 million passengers in 2025.

Its year 2025 financial report recorded $1.000 billion in operating revenue. Aviation fees, rentals, management agreements and concessions made up portions of the total.

The department reported a $15.87 million decrease in position after accounting for operating and non-operating items and capital contributions. This is not the same as a net loss because the department uses public-sector enterprise accounting.

*1928 Refers to the establishment of Miami International Airport, with scheduled flights.

9. San Francisco International Airport

Category	Details
Founded	1927
Headquarters	San Francisco, California
Latest Revenue	$1.37 billion (FY2025)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Change in net position: $52.49 million (FY2025)
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, passenger terminals, aviation services, concessions, parking and transportation

San Francisco International Airport is. Operated by the City and County of San Francisco. It has been operating at its location since May 7 1927.

SFO handled around 54.5 million passengers in 2025 keeping it among the airport operations in the country.

The airport’s FY2025 financial statements show $1.369 billion in operating revenue. Aviation revenue was the source, followed by parking and transportation concessions, hotel income and sales and services.

SFO recorded a $52.49 million change in position for the year. As with public airport authorities this isn’t directly comparable with the net profit of a private company.

10. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Category	Details
Founded	1987
Headquarters	Washington, DC
Latest Revenue	$828.4 million (FY2025)
Latest Net Income/PAT	Not separately reported
Main Products/Services	Airport operations, passenger terminals, aviation infrastructure, parking, concessions and ground transportation

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority or MWAA operates Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Together the two airports recorded a record 53.9 million passengers in 2025 with about 24.9 million at Reagan National and 29.0 million at Dulles.

MWAAs aviation enterprise reported $828.4 million in operating revenue in FY2025. The authority manages both airports under a combined debt structure so the figures are generally presented at the system level.

Dulles has become particularly important, for international and long-haul traffic while Reagan National mainly serves routes.

Main Comparison Table

Company	Latest Revenue	Main Products/Services
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey	$1.85 billion aviation fees (2025)	Airport operations, aviation infrastructure and terminal development
City of Atlanta Department of Aviation	$738.0 million (FY2025)	Airport operations, parking, concessions and ground transportation
Chicago Department of Aviation	$1.61 billion (2024)	Airport operations, terminals, parking and concessions
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport	$1.30 billion (FY2025)	Airport operations, passenger facilities, cargo and concessions
Denver Department of Aviation	Not publicly available in a directly comparable FY2025 total	Airport operations, passenger facilities, parking and concessions
Los Angeles World Airports	$2.07 billion (FY2025)	Airport operations, terminals, rentals, parking and concessions
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority	$943.97 million (FY2025)	Airport operations, terminals, ground transport and concessions
Miami-Dade Aviation Department	$1.00 billion (FY2025)	Airport operations, passenger terminals, cargo and concessions
San Francisco International Airport	$1.37 billion (FY2025)	Airport operations, terminals, concessions and transportation
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority	$828.4 million (FY2025)	Airport operations, terminals, parking and aviation infrastructure

Why Are Airport Operators Important in the USA?

I think airport operators are responsible for more than just keeping runways clear. Airport operators manage terminals, gates, parking lots, baggage areas, roads and other infrastructure that millions of passengers use. I think airport operators are essential for travel.

Airport operators also collect money from airlines, terminal rentals, parking, concessions and other services. Much of this money is used to run and improve the airport not to be shared like corporate profits. LAWA for example says airport revenue is restricted by rules and must be used only for airport-related purposes.

Conclusion

USA’s largest airport operators in the USA run some of the aviation facilities in the country.

The Port Authority has the combined passenger operation. Atlanta, Chicago and DFW also handle traffic volumes. I see the scale of their work.

Public airport operators often use structures that differ from private companies.

Because of this revenue and net‑position figures should be compared carefully.

In my view the importance of adani’s airport operators can be seen in passenger numbers and in the infrastructure and services that airport operators manage.

FAQs

1. Which is the airport operator in the USA?

I find that based on the combined passenger traffic handled in 2025 the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is the largest airport operator in this list. Its commercial airports handled 142.7 million passengers during the year across JFK, Newark, LaGuardia and other facilities.

2. Which airport operator handles the passengers?

I find that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey handled the highest combined passenger volume among the airport operators listed here. Its three biggest airports alone. JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia. Accounted for most of the 142.7 million passengers recorded across its airport network in 2025.

3. Who operates Atlanta airport?

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport is operated by the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation. This airport handled more than 106 million passengers in 2025 and remains one of the world’s busiest airports by passenger traffic.

4. Who operates JFK Airport?

John F. Kennedy International Airport is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. JFK handled 62.6 million passengers in 2025 and is one of the authority’s three main commercial airports serving the New York metropolitan area.

5. Who operates Los Angeles International Airport?

Los Angeles International Airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a department of the City of Los Angeles. LAWA also operates Van Nuys Airport. LAX handled 75.2 million passengers during LAWA’s FY2025 reporting period.

6. How do airport operators make money?

Airport operators mainly earn from airline charges, terminal rentals, parking, concessions, ground transportation and other airport‑related services. Some also receive passenger or customer facility charges. The exact mix differs from one airport to another depending on its airlines, passengers, facilities and financial structure.

7. Are airport operators companies?

Not always. Many of America’s airport operators are city departments, county departments or public authorities. For example Denver International Airport is. Operated by the City and County of Denver while SFO is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco.

8. Which airport operator manages O’Hare and Midway?

The Chicago Department of Aviation manages both Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport. Together the airports handled 103.9 million passengers in 2025. O’Hare is the larger of the two. Is one of the country’s most important connecting airports.

9. Which airport operator manages Washington National and Dulles?

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority manages both Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. The two airports together handled about 53.9 million passengers in 2025 according to financial and traffic information.

10. Is airport revenue the same as airport profit?

No. Revenue is the money generated from airport operations. Profit or a change, in position takes into account expenses and other financial items. Public airport authorities can also receive Venture capital contributions. Have accounting rules that differ from private companies. Therefore airport revenue should not automatically be treated as the airport operator’s profit.