Airport Industry

The global industry that builds, operates and services airports, aerodromes equipped with at least one runway and supporting infrastructure such as control towers, hangars and terminals for commercial air transport. As of 2009 roughly 44,000 airports and airfields existed worldwide, with the United States alone accounting for more than 15,000, ranging from small airfields to major international hubs handling continuous traffic with turnaround times as short as 25 minutes. Airports function as major employers and transit hubs for tourism and commerce, earning revenue from aeronautical sources such as landing and parking fees as well as non aeronautical sources such as retail, concessions and car rental.