Burlington International Airport

What Burlington International Airport does

Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (Leahy BTV) is a municipal airport owned and operated by the City of Burlington, Vermont, functioning as the state's only major commercial service airport and largest transportation hub. The airport supports scheduled commercial passenger service through airline partnerships with Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, Breeze Airways, and Sun Country Airlines, providing nonstop connectivity to major U.S. destinations and serving approximately 354,000 annual visitors. Ground operations encompass a fully leased terminal concessions ecosystem (Hudson News, The Skinny Pancake, Kestrel Coffee), seven rental car brands operating inside the terminal, and a regulated taxi and car service network.

Revenue is generated through Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) on each boarded passenger, terminal concession leases, ground transportation licensing fees, parking operations, and capital funding via the FAA Airport Improvement Program (which covered 90% of the $1.07B economic impact-contributing infrastructure). Project NexT, the decade-in-the-making terminal expansion that opened March 31, 2026, transformed the facility into a linear, interconnected terminal with net-zero energy design incorporating solar and geothermal systems, smart sensors, multimodal AI-driven systems for optimizing energy/water/passenger flow, and an expanded third floor with office and event space.

The airport's strategic positioning combines regulatory monopoly economics (no competing commercial airport in Vermont), federal funding dependency (90% AIP capital subsidization), strong sustainability credentials (first New England small hub with Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 1), and brand recognition (USA Today Top 5 Small Airport and 2025 Top 10 Resort Airport). The organization employs a small core leadership team reporting through the City of Burlington governance structure, with technical expertise spanning FAA air traffic control, commercial piloting, environmental engineering, and public-sector finance. The economic footprint extends well beyond direct operations to support 5,646 jobs statewide and generate $62M in annual state and local tax revenue, making BTV a critical piece of Vermont's economic infrastructure despite its modest passenger volumes relative to large-hub peers.

Name

Burlington International Airport

Legal name

Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport

Website

https://btv.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Airport Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Passenger Terminal Facilities Management (Cleaning, Maintenance, Utilities) (TLAHAEAK)

Keywords

• Commercial airport operations
• Passenger air travel
• Airport ground transportation
• Airport parking services
• Airline terminal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Passenger Facility Charges (PFC): Fees collected for every boarded passenger at the airport, used to fund FAA-approved projects that enhance safety, security, or capacity; reduce noise, or increase air carrier competition.
2. Concession Revenue: Revenue from retail shops, restaurants, and other concessions within the terminal including Hudson News gift shops, The Skinny Pancake, Kestrel Coffee, and rental car services.
3. Ground Transportation Licensing: Fees from licensed car service operators, taxis, and shuttle services operating at the airport.
4. Federal Airport Improvement Program: Federal funding through FAA's Airport Improvement Program (AIP) providing 90% of funding for major capital projects, with support from Congressional Directed Spending.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (Leahy BTV) is Vermont's largest commercial airport, operating terminal facilities that provide flight booking access, real-time flight status tracking, on-site parking, rental car and taxi ground transportation, and passenger amenities including dining, retail, and accessibility services. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Burlington, generating revenue from passenger facility charges, concession and rental car commissions, parking, ground transportation licensing, and federal Airport Improvement Program grants.

Product overview

Burlington International Airport (Leahy BTV) operates as a regional airport offering a comprehensive suite of travel-related products and services. The core offering centers on flight operations through its digital booking platform and real-time flight status tracking, complemented by on-site ground transportation services including rental cars from major brands (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National) and taxi/car service operators. Passenger amenities include dining options (The Skinny Pancake restaurant and Kestrel Coffee), retail shopping (Hudson News gift shop), an arts program with rotating exhibits, and accessibility features like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. The landmark Project NexT terminal expansion (opened March 2026) represents a major infrastructure upgrade featuring net-zero energy design with AI-driven smart systems for optimizing energy, water, and passenger flow.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BTV Flight Booking Platform Digital platform enabling travelers to search, compare, and book flights departing from Burlington International Airport across multiple airline partners including Delta, American Airlines, United, Sun Country Airlines, and Breeze Airways.
• Flight Status Tracking Real-time flight arrival and departure information system providing passengers with up-to-date flight status, delays, and gate information.
• Parking Services On-site parking facilities including a parking garage with electric vehicle charging stations and covered skywalk access to the terminal, protected from weather conditions.
• Rental Car Services On-site rental car services provided by Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, conveniently located inside the terminal on the main floor adjacent to baggage carousels with vehicles accessible via covered skywalk.
• Ground Transportation/Car Services Curbside car service operators licensed to operate at the airport, including VT First Class Ride, Neil's Wheels, Fleet Transportation, Burlington Van & Shuttle Service, Vermont Shuttle, and other licensed operators.
• Taxi Services Licensed taxi operators serving the airport with regulated fee structure including Day & Night Taxi, Bella Taxi, Marty's Cab, Quik + Reliable, and numerous other licensed taxi operators.
• The Skinny Pancake Airport restaurant offering locally sourced Vermont cuisine including crepes, paninis, burgers, snacks, local beer on tap, and full bar service. Operates 4:30 AM until last flight boards, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• Kestrel Coffee Vermont-based specialty coffee company providing high-quality coffee, espresso drinks, teas, pastries, and light grab-and-go options. Located on the second floor of the main terminal just after the TSA checkpoint.
• Hudson News Gift Shop Airport gift shop offering books, magazines, newspapers, snacks, drinks, toiletries, personal items, specialty foods, craft items, and Vermont-themed gifts. Also operates kiosks in each concourse.

Quantifiable outcome

• Contributes $1.07 billion in annual economic activity to Vermont
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Breeze AirwayscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 June 2026Breeze Airways operates as the primary low-cost carrier at Leahy BTV, providing multiple nonstop routes including Charleston, Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, Fort Myers, Tampa, Baltimore (BWI), and BreezeThru service to Vero Beach (VRB). The airline successfully launched at Leahy BTV in January 2024 and continues to expand service, marking the return of scheduled service between Leahy BTV and Baltimore for the first time in decades.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Blue Lightning InitiativestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Leahy BTV joined the Blue Lightning Initiative, a program led by DHS and DOT that trains aviation personnel to recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking. This partnership reinforces commitment to safety and well-being of travelers.
• JacobscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2024Jacobs served as the design partner for Project NexT terminal expansion, creating spaces that elevate the everyday while delivering exceptional performance and long-term value to the built environment. The partnership delivered the new terminal with sustainability features from day one.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)coreOthers · 1 January 2023FAA provides primary funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which covered 90% of Project NexT costs. The FAA's AIP process is the primary funding mechanism for airport development and modernization projects.
• Senator Patrick LeahycoreOthers · 1 January 2023Senator Patrick Leahy secured Congressional Directed Spending that supported Project NexT funding. The airport bears his name in recognition of his long-standing support for Vermont's aviation infrastructure.
• Vermont Air National GuardstrategicOthers · 1 January 2011Vermont ANG received an $8.8 million federal grant to develop a solar PV system at BTV, which was installed in 2011. The approximately 1.5-megawatt system is estimated to save the ANG $256,049 annually.
• Beta TechnologiesstrategicTechnology or IntegrationBeta Technologies is on the cutting edge of electric aviation with eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle) operations at BTV. Their patented electric propulsion systems produce zero operational emissions.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Portland International Jetport: Maine's primary small hub airport with comparable passenger volumes, carrier partnerships, and New England regional focus. Operates with similar municipal governance structure and tourism-driven demand.
• Plattsburgh International Airport: Closest geographic competitor to BTV in New York's North Country region. Competes for Canadian cross-border travelers and northern Vermont residents seeking low-cost alternatives.
• Manchester-Boston Regional Airport: Small hub airport in New Hampshire serving the northern New England market with similar route diversity and airline mix. Most direct competitor for Vermont-area travelers willing to drive for broader flight options.
• Albany International Airport: Small-to-medium hub serving upstate New York with similar airline mix and regional connectivity role. Comparable in scale, governance structure, and competition dynamics for Northeast travelers.
• Bangor International Airport: Maine's secondary airport with similar size, military co-location, and small-hub operating profile. Comparable in federal funding reliance and seasonal demand patterns.

Regional players

• Syracuse Hancock International Airport: Upstate New York airport with similar small-hub scale and federal funding model. Comparable in market position as a secondary regional alternative to larger hub airports.
• Tweed New Haven Airport: Small regional airport in Connecticut serving a similar market tier with comparable airline partnerships and municipal ownership structure. Useful comparison for small-hub operational models.

Emerging players

• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport: Resort/leisure destination airport in Montana with similar small-hub profile and rapid growth trajectory. Comparable in serving outdoor tourism markets with seasonal demand peaks.
• Jackson Hole Airport: Resort-focused small hub airport with similar USA Today Top 10 Resort Airport recognition. Comparable in seasonality, tourism dependence, and small-hub operational constraints.

Broad incumbents

• Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport: Major international airport serving nearby Quebec with much broader route network and lower-cost carrier presence. Primary cross-border alternative for Vermont travelers seeking wider connectivity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/btvairport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZw-G4t6qCo6spEC_bsJXXw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlyBTV
• Instagraminstagram.com/leahybtv

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Burlington International Airport