Analysis
NAICS 48811 is the 2022 NAICS industry for airport operations, part of 4881 (Support Activities for Air Transportation). Census lists 16 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 2,585 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 142,448 people at an average annual payroll of $38,856 per employee (8th percentile of national industries). 26% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 18% and employment rose 16%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
By establishments it ranks 2nd of the 2 codes at this level within Support Activities for Air Transportation, with 37.9% of them.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 33641, 42472, 56172 and 72231. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Across its national industries Census lists 16 index entries; typical ones are air traffic control services (except military) and aircraft hangar rental.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) operating international, national, or civil airports or public flying fields or (2) supporting airport operations (except special food services contractors), such as rental of hangar space, air traffic control (except military) services, baggage handling services, and cargo handling services.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing factory conversion, overhaul, and rebuilding of aircraft | 33641 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing |
| Wholesaling fuel at airports | 42472 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) |
| Providing airport janitorial services | 56172 Janitorial Services |
| Providing food services at airports on a contractual arrangement (i.e., food service contractors) | 72231 Food Service Contractors |
| Establishments of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, primarily engaged in providing military air traffic control services | 92811 National Security |
Index entries (16)
- Air traffic control services (except military)
- Aircraft hangar rental