Posted on May 12th, 2025
In the United States, a county is a political and administrative subdivision of a state, typically providing local services such as law enforcement, infrastructure maintenance, and public facilities. In aviation, many counties are directly responsible for managing, funding, or overseeing regional and municipal airports used by private jet travelers.
For example, Los Angeles County is home to several major airports with private jet access, including Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). These facilities may be owned by county governments, operated by aviation departments, or managed through partnerships with independent FBOs and airport authorities.
Understanding which county an airport falls under can be helpful for:
While most U.S. states use “county,” two states use alternative terms: Louisiana is divided into parishes, and Alaska into boroughs. The U.S. federal government refers to these as county equivalents. Additionally, some independent cities—such as Baltimore, Maryland, or St. Louis, Missouri—are not part of any county and are also considered county equivalents.
Many airports in the U.S. fall under the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), a federal classification that includes public-use airports considered essential to the nation’s air transportation system. County-managed airports often appear in this plan because they support regional access, economic development, and emergency services.
For private jet clients evaluating multiple airport options, county jurisdiction can provide helpful context when choosing the most efficient, accessible, or regulation-friendly airport near their destination. The U.S. federal government calls Parishes and boroughs “county equivalents,” as are certain independent cities that are not parts of counties.
