[2] The authority is overseen by an independent board appointed jointly by the Governor of Michigan, the Wayne County Executive and the Wayne County Commission.
Prior to the authority's founding, these two airports were operated directly by Wayne County.
Michigan Senate Bill 690, signed into law on March 26, 2002, became effective on April 24 of that year, establishing the airport authority.
[1] Accordingly, as of 2002, the airports are no longer operated by Wayne County.
Although the airport authority was created as a unit of government, it receives no local tax support and is entirely self-sustaining.