What does Grant Assurance #5 primarily prevent airports from doing?

Grant Assurance #5 primarily prevents airports from taking actions that may deprive them of rights and powers. This assurance is part of the conditions that airports agree to when they accept federal funding. The underlying principle is to ensure that airports maintain their independence and operational capabilities, ensuring they do not engage in activities that could undermine their own authority or responsibilities.

In the context of airport operations, this means that airports must carefully consider the implications of their decisions, particularly those that might limit their ability to manage, develop, or control the property and facilities associated with aviation services. The assurance emphasizes the importance of maintaining the airport's operational integrity and legal autonomy in the face of external pressures or contractual obligations that could restrict their functioning or decision-making.

Understanding this assurance helps clarify the significant balance airports must strike between accepting federal funding and retaining their essential operational freedoms.