About the Airport
HOW THE AIRPORT WORKS
- The airport is owned by the City of Springfield and managed by an 11-member administrative board. Airport Board members are appointed by the City Manager, with confirmation made by the City Council.
- The Board operates the airport as a self-supporting enterprise function, meaning that it operates without local/state tax revenues or general city funds. Daily operations are funded by money generated from leases and contracts with the airlines and other businesses using airport facilities. Grants from the Federal Aviation Administration are received on a matching basis for the funding of qualifying improvement projects. Federal grants are funded mainly by federal taxes on airline tickets, aviation fuel and cargo shipments.
- The airport owns and maintains the basic infrastructure: the terminal, the runways, runway lighting, navigation systems, etc.
- The airport is, in effect, a landlord. It leases space to private companies, such as airlines, rental car agencies and restaurants.
- The airport has its own commissioned police force. These officers do everything you would expect from any police department, but they do not screen passengers (or their luggage) before they get on the airplane. The airport also has its own fire department.
- Here's how checked baggage is processed: the customer brings it to the airline ticket counter; an airline employee weighs the luggage and sends it to a backroom where it's inspected by the TSA. An airline employee then sends it on to the airplane for loading.
- Airports do not run control towers. Control towers are overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA is part of the federal government. Towers are staffed by the FAA, or by private companies that are under contract to the FAA.
- The control tower at the Springfield-Branson National Airport is owned and staffed by the FAA.
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