For the European and Asian friends, this is because Airports in the United States are almost all still owned and operated by local governments. For the vast majority of these governments, the Airport is easily the most significant slush fund they have to monkey with. For example, the City of Denver, “owns” Denver International Airport, which is in turn both the largest employer in the state of Colorado and the third busiest Airport in the world. Did I mention that it generates all of its own cash? No tax-payer money involved.

Which is why they are opening a center for Equity and Diversity in Aviation rather then fixing the escalators (which have their cult following simply because of often they are broken) or having a reasonable rental car facility, or simply renovating bathrooms in the concourses.