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Overview of Airport Types and Facilities

An airport consists of landing areas for planes, runways, taxiways, and aprons. Larger airports have multiple terminals with facilities for passengers like check-in, security, baggage claim, and retail. Air traffic control manages aircraft movement. International airports have customs and immigration facilities in addition to domestic flight facilities. Airports require facilities to transport passengers and baggage within the airport as well as access for vehicles and parking.

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Corrine Bonocan
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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
800 views17 pages

Overview of Airport Types and Facilities

An airport consists of landing areas for planes, runways, taxiways, and aprons. Larger airports have multiple terminals with facilities for passengers like check-in, security, baggage claim, and retail. Air traffic control manages aircraft movement. International airports have customs and immigration facilities in addition to domestic flight facilities. Airports require facilities to transport passengers and baggage within the airport as well as access for vehicles and parking.

Uploaded by

Corrine Bonocan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
1.1 AIRPORT
An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial
air transport. Airports often have facilities to store and maintain aircraft, and
a control tower. An airport consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially
accessible open space including at least one operationally active surface such as
a runway for a plane to take off or a helipad, and often includes adjacent utility
buildings such as control towers, hangars and terminals. Larger airports may
have airport aprons, taxiway bridges, air traffic control centres, passenger facilities
such as restaurants and lounges, and emergency services. In some countries, the
US in particular, they also typically have one or more fixed-base operators, serving
general aviation.
An airport solely serving helicopters is called a heliport. An airport for use
by seaplanes and amphibious aircraft is called a seaplane base. Such a base
typically includes a stretch of open water for takeoffs and landings, and seaplane
docks for tying-up. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in USA is the
busiest and biggest airport in the world.
The earliest aircraft takeoff and landing sites were grassy fields. The plane
could approach at any angle that provided a favorable wind direction. A slight
improvement was the dirt-only field, which eliminated the drag from grass.
However, these only functioned well in dry conditions. Later, concrete surfaces
would allow landings, rain or shine, day or night.
1.2 DOMESTIC AIRPORT
A domestic airport is an airport that handles only domestic flights—flights
within the same country. Domestic airports do not have customs and immigration
facilities and so cannot handle flights to or from a foreign airport.
These airports often have short runways sufficient to handle short or
medium haul aircraft and regional air traffic. Security check / metal detectors are
used in most countries, but such checks were for domestic flights installed in many
cases decades after checks for international flights. Additionally, some airports that
are named "international" are essentially domestic airports that handles
international traffic on an irregular basis.
1.3 REGIONAL AIRPORT
A regional airport is an airport serving traffic within a relatively small or
lightly populated geographical area. A regional airport usually does not
have customs and immigration facilities to process traffic between countries.
Aircraft using these airports tend to be smaller business jets, private aircraft
and regional airliners of both turboprop propelled or regional jetliner varieties.
These flights usually go a shorter distance to a larger regional hub. These airports
usually have shorter runways, which exclude heavy planes with much fuel.
1.4 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
An international airport is an airport with customs and border
control facilities enabling passengers to travel between countries. International
airports are usually larger than domestic airports and often feature
longer runways and facilities to accommodate the heavier aircraft commonly used
for international and intercontinental travel. International airports often also
host domestic flights.
In August 1919, Hounslow Heath Aerodrome, in London, England was the first
airport to operate scheduled international commercial services. It was closed and
supplanted by Croydon Airport in March 1920. In the United States, Douglas
Municipal Airport in Arizona became the first international airport of the Americas
in 1928. airports and almost two billion international passengers along with 50
million metric tonnes of cargo were passing through them annually.
The precursors to international airports were airfields or aerodromes. In the
early days of international flights, there was limited infrastructure, "although if
engine problems arose there were plenty of places where aircraft could
land". Since four-engined land planes were unavailable for over-water operations
to international destinations, flying boats became part of the solution. At the far
end of the longest international route (which became the Kangaroo Route), on-
water landing areas were found in places such as Surabaya and in the open sea
off Kupang. In Sydney, Rose Bay, New South Wales, was chosen as the flying
boat landing area.

2. SPACE REQUIREMENTS
2.1 FACILITIES OF AIRPORTS
A terminal is a building with passenger facilities. Small airports have one terminal.
Large ones often have multiple terminals, though some large airports still have one
terminal. The terminal has a series of gates, which provide passengers with access
to the plane.
The following facilities are essential for departing passengers:
 Check-in facilities, including a baggage drop-off
 Security clearance gates
 Passport control (for some international flights)
 Gates
 Waiting areas
The following facilities are essential for arriving passengers:
 Passport control (international arrivals only)
 Baggage reclaim facilities, often in the form of a carousel
 Customs (international arrivals only)
 A landside meeting place
For both sets of passengers, there must be a link between the passenger
facilities and the aircraft, such as jet bridges or airstairs. There also needs to be
a baggage handling system, to transport baggage from the baggage drop-off to
departing planes, and from arriving planes to the baggage reclaim.
The area where the aircraft park to load passengers and baggage is known as
an apron or ramp.
Airports with international flights have customs and immigration facilities.
However, as some countries have agreements that allow travel between them
without customs and immigrations, such facilities are not a definitive need for an
international airport. International flights often require a higher level of physical
security, although in recent years, many countries have adopted the same level of
security for international and domestic travel.
The following facilities are essential for overall airport passengers:
 Airport security
Airport security normally requires baggage checks, metal screenings of
individual persons, and rules against any object that could be used as a weapon.
 Products and services
Most major airports provide commercial outlets for products and services,
these include clothing boutiques and restaurants. Many of them are internationally
known brands, which are located within the departure areas.
 Premium and VIP services
The premium and VIP services may include express check-in and
dedicated check-in counters. These services are usually reserved
for First and Business class passengers, premium frequent flyers, and members
of the airline's clubs.
 Cargo and freight service
Cargo Terminal Facilities are areas where international airports export
cargo has to be stored after customs clearance and prior to loading on the aircraft.
Every cargo terminal has a landside and an airside. The landside is where the
exporters and importers through either their agents or by themselves deliver or
collect shipments while the airside is where loads are moved to or from the aircraft.
In addition, cargo terminals are divided into distinct areas – export, import and
interline or transshipment.
 Access and onward travel
Airports require parking lots, for passengers who may leave the cars at the
airport for a long period of time.
 Internal transport
The distances passengers need to move within a large airport can be
substantial. It is common for airports to provide moving walkways, buses, and rail
transport systems.
2.2 AIRPORT OPERATIONS
There are three types of surface that aircraft operate on:
 Runways, for takeoff and landing
 Taxiways, where planes "taxi" (transfer to and from a runway)
 Apron or ramp: a surface where planes are parked, loaded, unloaded or
refuelled.

a. Air traffic control


Air traffic control (ATC) is the task of managing aircraft movements and making
sure they are safe, orderly and expeditious.
A "towered" or "controlled" airport has a control tower where the air traffic
controllers are based. Pilots are required to maintain two-way radio communication
with the controllers, and to acknowledge and comply with their instructions. A "non-
towered" airport has no operating control tower and therefore two-way radio
communications are not required.
b. Ground control
Ground control is responsible for directing all ground traffic in designated
"movement areas", except the traffic on runways. This includes planes, baggage
trains, snowplows, grass cutters, fuel trucks, stair trucks, airline food trucks,
conveyor belt vehicles and other vehicles.
c. Tower control
Tower control is responsible for aircraft on the runway and in the controlled
airspace immediately surrounding the airport.
d. Traffic pattern
At all airports the use of a traffic pattern is possible. They may help to assure
smooth traffic flow between departing and arriving aircraft. There is no technical
need within modern commercial aviation for performing this pattern, provided there
is no queue. And due to the so-called SLOT-times, the overall traffic planning tend
to assure landing queues are avoided.

e. Navigational aids
There are a number of aids, both visual and electronic, though not at all airports.
A visual approach slope indicator (VASI) helps pilots fly the approach for
landing. Once the pilots can see the runway lights, they may continue with a visual
landing.
f. Taxiway signs
Airport guidance signs provide direction and information to taxiing aircraft and
airport vehicles. Smaller aerodromes may have few or no signs, relying instead on
diagrams and charts.
g. Lighting
Many airports have lighting that help guide planes using the runways and
taxiways at night or in rain or fog.
h. Weather observations
Planes take-off and land into the wind in order to achieve maximum performance.
Because pilots need instantaneous information during landing, a windsock can
also be kept in view of the runway.
a. Airport ground crew (ground handling)
Most airports have groundcrew handling the loading and unloading of
passengers, crew, baggage and other services.
b. Maintenance management
Like industrial equipment or facility management, airports require tailor-made
maintenance management due to their complexity.
c. Safety management
Aviation safety is an important concern in the operation of an airport, and
almost every airfield includes equipment and procedures for handling emergency
situations. Airport crash tender crews are equipped for dealing with
airfield accidents, crew and passenger extractions, and the hazards of highly
flammable aviation fuel.

2.3 AIRPORT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE FLOW


3. RELATED RESEARCH LITERATURES AND STUDIES
3.1 SHUCHI, S. (2016, APRIL 29). AIRPORT TERMINAL DESIGN
3.2 LAMICHHANE R. (2015, NOVEMBER). INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
TERMINAL IN NEPAL
3.6 A PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR OZAMIS CITY
3.7 THE NEW CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
4. DESIGN GUIDELINES
CONSTRAINTS

REFERENCES:
 Airport. (2002, February 4). Retrieved from
[Link]
 Domestic airport. (2005, December 26). Retrieved from
[Link]
 International airport. (2005, February 18). Retrieved from
[Link]
 Airport. (n.d.). Retrieved from
[Link]
 Shuchi, S. (2016, April 29). Airport terminal design (lecture note). Retrieved from
[Link]
note
 Thesis Airport Terminal 2015- Nepal. (n.d.). Retrieved from
[Link]
 2014 National Architectural Thesis Competition - Entry No.12. (2014, March 20).
Retrieved from [Link]
architectural-thesis_7492.html?m
 AIRPORT PLANNING AND DESIGN BY NIRANJAN. (2015, 30). Retrieved from
[Link]
niranjan?next_slideshow=1
 Proposed International Airport Baby Thesis. (n.d.). Retrieved from
[Link]
sis?show_app_store_popup=true

Common questions

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As global air traffic increases, airports must adapt their infrastructure accordingly, starting with the expansion of runways and terminal facilities to accommodate more and larger aircraft . Longer runways are essential for safely handling the take-off and landing of heavier, longer-haul aircraft that service international routes. Additionally, terminal facilities are expanded to manage a higher passenger throughput, incorporating improved check-in, security, and baggage handling systems. Larger airports design multiple terminals to disperse passenger traffic efficiently . Moreover, features such as taxiways and aprons are expanded to handle more aircraft movements simultaneously .

Design considerations for airport terminals, particularly in international airports, involve ensuring seamless passenger flow and efficient processing. Essential facilities include check-in counters, security and passport control areas for departing passengers, and customs and baggage claim for arrivals . International airports require longer runways and larger terminals to accommodate high passenger volumes and larger, long-haul aircraft . Terminals also need to integrate waiting areas and commercial outlets for passenger convenience and engagement. The provision of facilities for special services like VIP lounges further enhances passenger experiences. Efficient linking systems like jet bridges and automated internal transport systems are also crucial for minimizing movement difficulties within expansive terminal areas .

Efficiency and safety in airport operations are influenced by the layout of runways, taxiways, and aprons, which facilitate smooth aircraft movement . Effective air traffic and ground control systems work in tandem with navigational aids to ensure aircraft manage safe takeoffs, landings, and taxiing . Moreover, comprehensive passenger and cargo facilities enhance operational capability, while robust security and maintenance protocols uphold safety standards .

Technology has greatly enhanced the operational efficiency and safety of modern airports through innovations such as advanced air traffic control systems, which manage aircraft movements more safely and effectively . Furthermore, technological advancements in security screening and baggage handling streamline passenger processing, reducing waiting times and enhancing overall efficiency. Navigational aids like Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASI) and automated lighting systems guide aircraft with greater precision, particularly in adverse weather conditions . Enhanced communication technologies in airports allow better coordination between ground control, tower control, and pilots, improving safety and reducing the risk of accidents .

Domestic airports primarily serve flights within the same country and typically have shorter runways and fewer facilities. They do not accommodate customs and immigration, affecting their ability to handle international flights . Conversely, international airports have customs and border control facilities to process international passengers and longer runways to handle heavier aircraft used for international travel, influencing their capability to manage international and domestic flights . These differences impact operations by necessitating higher security levels and more comprehensive facilities at international airports, accommodating a broader range of aircraft types and passenger services .

Airports provide various passenger facilities, including check-in counters, security clearance gates, and waiting areas that cater to all passengers . However, premium passengers often receive exclusive services such as express check-in and dedicated check-in counters, typically available to First and Business class passengers, premium frequent flyers, and airline club members .

Operating large international airports presents challenges such as handling high passenger volumes, ensuring security, and managing complex logistics of aircraft movements. Managing passenger flow efficiently involves optimizing check-in processes, security screenings, and baggage handling systems to minimize delays . Ensuring security requires rigorous screening processes and advanced surveillance systems . Logistically, coordinating ground control and air traffic operations is crucial to prevent runway congestion and maintain safety standards . Airports employ automated systems, innovative designs in terminal layouts, and advanced air traffic management practices to address these difficulties, enhancing operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction .

A domestic airport handles only flights within the same country and lacks customs and immigration facilities, which are essential for international travel . International airports, on the other hand, are equipped with customs and border control facilities to accommodate international flights and typically feature longer runways and facilities to accommodate the heavier aircraft used for international travel . They often host both international and domestic flights .

International airports feature customs and border control facilities for processing passengers traveling between countries and generally handle larger aircraft with longer runways . In contrast, regional airports focus on domestic traffic within smaller geographical areas, lacking customs facilities and usually serving smaller aircraft for short distances .

Hounslow Heath Aerodrome in London was one of the first international airports, which began operations in 1919 and evolved into more complex facilities like Croydon Airport . Similarly, Douglas Municipal Airport in Arizona was the first international airport in the Americas, representing the transformation from simple aerodromes to sophisticated facilities with customs and border controls necessary for handling international passengers and cargo . These evolution stories highlight the transition from modest airfields with minimal infrastructure to comprehensive hubs that handle millions of passengers and tonnes of cargo annually, incorporating technological advancements and infrastructure expansions to meet growing demands in air travel .

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