Since its creation in 1970, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has operated as a free-standing public corporation. Under its enabling legislation, the Authority was charged with generating and managing its own revenues and providing for its long-term financial viability.

To generate needed revenue, the Authority is empowered to collect fees, rents and other charges from users, such as airlines, car-rental companies and concessionaires. Air travelers also participate in the funding mix through passenger facility charges and other federal reimbursement programs such as the Aviation Trust Fund for Airport Improvement Projects. Airport users, airlines and the federal government—not local government—provide the funding necessary to operate, maintain and improve airport facilities.

To ensure its financial viability, the Authority developed special long-term lease agreements with the airport's major airlines, known as signatory agreements. These agreements between the Authority and participating airlines stipulate that if the airport experiences a revenue shortfall, the airlines will allow the Authority to increase their rates and charges to balance the budget. Signatory carriers also agree to underwrite bonds issued by the Authority to raise money for major improvement and expansion projects. The new terminal, for example, was financed by airport revenue bonds that were guaranteed by the signatory airlines. In exchange for their financial commitments, the signatory airlines obtain input on major capital improvement program decisions.

The Authority's professional, market-oriented system of financial management has provided the citizens of Nashville and the Middle Tennessee Region with one of the country's most progressive and fiscally sound airports.