NAICS 488119 Quarterly Industry Report
Other Airport Operations
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 488119Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry report for NAICS 488119 draws on airport operations data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], employment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and small business benchmarks from the Small Business Administration[7]. Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 488119 profile to support valuation professionals assessing airport management companies, FBO operations, and general aviation facilities. Our research team updates this content quarterly to reflect infrastructure investment trends and regulatory changes.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the other airport operations industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Other Airport Operations (NAICS 488119) encompasses establishments operating airports, airfields, and landing strips, including the management of terminal buildings, runway and taxiway infrastructure, parking facilities, and passenger services. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies airport management and operations under this code when the primary activity involves running the airport facility rather than providing air traffic control or specific aircraft services.
Airport operators range from large metropolitan airport authorities managing multi-runway complexes serving tens of millions of passengers annually to small general aviation airport managers overseeing single-runway facilities. Revenue streams include landing fees charged to airlines, terminal space rentals, concession revenue from retail and food service tenants, parking fees, and fuel flowage charges. Non-aeronautical revenue from terminal concessions, advertising, and ground transportation has grown in importance as airports develop commercial programs to diversify income beyond aviation fees.
Capital programs at major airports involve multi-billion-dollar terminal construction, runway rehabilitation, taxiway expansion, and technology upgrades for baggage handling and security screening infrastructure. Workforce composition spans facility maintenance crews, operations coordinators, security personnel, snow removal teams, and administrative staff. Federal Aviation Administration regulations govern runway design standards, safety area requirements, and airport certification processes. Environmental compliance including noise abatement programs, stormwater management, and wildlife hazard mitigation adds regulatory complexity to daily airport operations.
What's Included in This Industry
- Airport terminal building management and operations
- Runway, taxiway, and apron maintenance services
- Airport parking facility operations and management
- Passenger terminal services including check-in area management
- Airport concession program administration
- Airfield lighting and navigation aid maintenance
- Airport snow and ice removal operations
- General aviation airport and airstrip management
- Airport security coordination and access control administration
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Support Activities for Transportation | 488 |
| Industry Group | Support Activities for Air Transportation | 4881 |
| NAICS Industry | Airport Operations | 48811 |
| National Industry | Other Airport Operations | 488119 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 488111 | Air Traffic Control | Air traffic control services managing aircraft movement through controlled airspace, while 488119 covers the broader airport facility management and ground-side operations |
| 488190 | Other Support Activities for Air Transportation | Other support activities for air transportation including aircraft servicing and ground handling, distinct from the airport infrastructure operations defining 488119 |
| 481111 | Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation | Scheduled passenger airlines operating flights from airport facilities, serving as the primary tenant and revenue source for airport operators under 488119 |
| 481112 | Scheduled Freight Air Transportation | Scheduled freight airlines using airport cargo facilities and runways, generating landing fee revenue for airport operators classified here |
| 237310 | Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | Highway and bridge construction firms building airport access roads and ground transportation infrastructure that connects airports to regional highway networks |
| 488510 | Freight Transportation Arrangement | Freight transportation arrangement services operating at airport cargo facilities, coordinating air freight logistics through airport terminals managed by 488119 operators |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 11.1% | 243 |
| 2 | Texas | 10.3% | 225 |
| 3 | California | 9.9% | 216 |
| 4 | New York | 5.7% | 125 |
| 5 | Illinois | 2.8% | 62 |
| 6 | Virginia | 2.7% | 59 |
| 7 | Georgia | 2.6% | 58 |
| 8 | Colorado | 2.5% | 54 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 2.4% | 52 |
| 10 | Ohio | 2.3% | 51 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
88
Total SBA Loans
$66.4M
Total Loan Volume
$754K
Average Loan Size
12 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.02%
Average Interest Rate
752
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 488119 at $40 million in average annual receipts, measured over the preceding five completed fiscal years. Small general aviation airports, private airstrip operators, and airport management companies serving smaller facilities may qualify as small businesses under this threshold. Eligible firms can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for facility improvements, equipment purchases, and operational technology. The SBA 504 loan program[9] supports terminal construction, hangar development, and airfield infrastructure projects.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Byline Bank | 16 | $30.0M | $1.9M |
| 2 | Mission Valley Bank | 8 | $10.4M | $1.3M |
| 3 | First Commonwealth Bank | 16 | $7.8M | $488K |
| 4 | Port 51 Lending LLC | 8 | $6.4M | $798K |
| 5 | Frandsen Bank and Trust | 8 | $5.3M | $659K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 488119?
This code covers airport authorities, private airport management companies, fixed-base operators at general aviation airports, and airfield operators. Both large commercial airport authorities managing hub facilities and small general aviation airport managers fall under this code. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies these operations based on the airport facility management function rather than specific aviation services.
How are airport operations different from air traffic control?
Airport operations under 488119 cover the management of physical infrastructure including terminals, runways, parking, and concessions. Air traffic control under 488111 specifically handles aircraft movement through airspace and active runway assignments. An airport operator maintains the runway surface and lighting, while air traffic control directs which aircraft may use that runway and when.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 488119?
The Small Business Administration sets the size standard at $40 million in average annual receipts over five years. Smaller general aviation airports and private airport management companies often qualify as small businesses. Details are in the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are closely related to airport operations?
Related codes include 488111 for air traffic control, 488190 for other aviation support activities, 481111 for scheduled passenger airlines, and 485999 for airport shuttle services. Airport operations serve as the infrastructure platform that supports all other aviation-related business activities at the facility.
What industries are connected to airport operations?
Connected industries include airlines paying facility fees, retail and food concession operators leasing terminal space, ground transportation companies serving passengers, construction firms building airport infrastructure, and security companies providing screening and access control. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], air transportation support employs workers across facility management, maintenance, and operations roles.
What activities are included in NAICS 488119?
Included activities cover terminal building management, runway and taxiway maintenance, parking facility operations, concession program administration, airfield lighting maintenance, snow and ice removal, wildlife hazard management, and general aviation airstrip operations. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] encompasses all airport facility management functions except air traffic control.
Can airport operators get SBA loans?
Private airport management companies and small airport operators under the $40 million revenue threshold can access SBA programs. The 7(a) program[8] supports facility improvements, equipment, and technology upgrades. Market 504 program[9] finances terminal buildings, hangars, and airfield infrastructure. Public airport authorities are generally ineligible, but their private contractors and tenants may qualify.
Where are airport operations concentrated in the United States?
Commercial airport operations concentrate at major hub cities including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which handle the highest passenger and cargo volumes. General aviation airports operate in virtually every county, with the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems identifying over 3,300 public-use airports. The densest concentrations of general aviation facilities are in California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standards table sba.gov
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