49 States have State Airport Authorities* - Not Utah.
Utah's lack of state controlled airports cost Utah billions in lost taxes, jobs, and rural development.
Everyday operations statewide are hampered by our archaic management of Utah's 98 airports (52 public & 46 private), and 61 heliports - the lifeblood Utah's $200 Billion Economy and $12 billion Tourism Industry supporting 152,000 jobs generating $2.1 billion in state and local tax revenue (2022 numbers). Utah's airports are an embarrassment, and a public health hazard - PFAS's, Watershed Malpractice, and price gouging. $3 for a bottle of water is not neighborly or not inviting. Come Travel to Utah where we price gouge for a cup of water, and a burger.
More than 27 million tourists and travelers pass through Salt Lake City controlled airports.
Trouble in paradise: does Hawaii need a new airports authorly? A lack of authority
"Said to be the most isolated population centre in the world, air travel is vital to Hawaii. “As an island state, we are completely dependent on our airports,” says Hawaii State Senator Lorraine R. Inouye. She is a long-time proponent of efforts to restructure the way the islands’ airports are operated.
“Our ability to plan and respond effectively to the many challenges we find in air transportation and infrastructure have been hampered by our lack of one central authority,” she says. For years now, her and colleagues attempts to address the issue have been hit with delays. State legislative bills have been proposed each year since 2016 but have ultimately failed to pass through the legislative programme." June 28, 2019
https://www.airport-technology.com/features/airport-authority-hawaii/?cf-view
Utah needs to Airport better
*47 States have State Airport Authorities. 2 have State Airports under the Department of Transportation. Is Utah is the only state in the US without state control of its airports? If so why? Qui Bono? Who benefits?
Alaska operates a state owned enterprise fund under the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT&PF). Hawaii operates its airports under the State's Hawaii Department of Transportation ( HDOT)
"An airport authority, he said, “gives the airport system the ability to move things along at a much quicker pace.”
The 22 members of the Airlines Committee of Hawaii agree wholeheartedly. Hawaiian Airlines executive Blaine Miyasato says “an airport authority will help us unravel the gridlock that holds our airports back from being the convenient, pleasant, world-class transportation hubs we deserve.”
January 10, 2017
https://www.civilbeat.org/2017/01/forty-eight-states-have-an-airport-authority-why-not-hawaii/