"James M. Knox" wrote in message
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Additionally, if the airport is open to the public, it is eligible for
public tax monies. This is the MAJOR source of support for most
airports, amounting to 90 to 95% or the total capital budget. This
money is basically a recognition of the fact that everyone in the area
benefits by having the airport, not just those who actually have an
airplane.

Just to elaborate a tiny bit (but James's post left very little to elaborate
on ):

The "recognition" is just like the recognition that freeways and other roads
benefit everyone in the area. While many Americans lack the knowledge to
see it this way, airports are just as important an element of the public
transportation infrastructure as roadways and waterways, both of which are
readily acknowledged as worthy of public monies.

I haven't once heard of a neighborhood banding together to try to close a
public road. For some reason, those same people who would never think of
trying to close a public road think it makes perfect sense to try to close
an airport.

Pete