MODULE 4:

Air Transport Essentials

01 THE AIRPORT
Airports are constantly changing in an attempt to offer better services to both
passengers and visitors. Cities with several airports compete vigorously for new
traffic and more passengers. To attract new business, both in terms of more carriers,
new routes, and passengers, airports around the world strive to improve the level and
range of airport facilities.

The largest airports have become mini-cities, offering first-class shopping,

restaurants, in-terminal hotels, leisure facilities and a range of transportation options.
Table 1.1 identifies the volume of passengers traveling through the largest airports
each year. These numbers reflect the key role of airports in national and local
economies. It is important to know these airport locations, names and three-letter
codes.
Module Learning Objectives
By completing this Module, you will learn to:

● Name the business airports and describe airport facilities for departing, arriving, and transit/transfer passengers
(Unit 1)
● Define pre-flight and in-flight products and services available to passengers with various needs and preferences,
and interpret class of service and seating plans (Unit 2)
● Describe ancillaries (Unit 3)
● Outline the relevant rules and procedures for the carriage of checked and unchecked baggage, and domestic
pets (Unit 4)
● Demonstrate correct usage of airline schedules (Unit 5)
● Recognize and describe the main aircraft types (Unit 5)
● Define, decode and encode airline industry terminology and codes used to make flight reservations (Unit 6)
● Explain international regulations pertaining to international air transportation (Unit 7)
 Overview
This Module introduces the many elements involved in making international air travel arrangements.

The travel agent's primary function is to help make travel arrangements for their customers. Therefore, the
main goal of this Module is to introduce you to the industry's common reference guides. You will be taught
how to access information relating to flight schedules and other services. In addition, you will look at and be
able to describe the services and facilities available to passengers both before and during travel.

In this Module you will look at codes that are universally recognized throughout the air transport industry.
Airlines and travel agents use codes to facilitate booking procedures. By working with this Module you will also
become familiar with other abbreviations, terms, and definitions that are in general use within the air and
travel industries.

Finally, we will look at the international regulations applying to the transport of passengers and cargo for all
international air transportation.

Exercises, discussions, and activities are included in this Module to help you apply your new knowledge.
Completing these tasks will also help to build your confidence prior to dealing with customers.
Unit Learning Objectives
By completing this Unit you will be able to:

● Identify the world's busiest airports (Unit 1.1)

● Describe the basic layout of airports and their terminals (Unit 1.2)
● Describe the departure formalities through which all departing passengers proceed. (Unit 1.3)
● Define checked baggage and describe the baggage check process. (Unit 1.4)
● Explain transit areas and identify minimum connecting times required between flights. (Unit 1.4)
● Describe the arrival formalities through which all arriving passengers proceed. (Unit 1.5)
● Define the three customs channels through which passengers pass upon arrival at their destination
and to whom each channel applies. (Unit 1.5)
● Describe the enhanced security and risk assessment tool "Checkpoint of the Future" (Unit 1.6)
Rank Airport Name City Airport Code Passengers

1 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Atlanta, US (ATL) 85 907 423

Airport

2 O’Hare International Airport Chicago, US (ORD) 76 510 003

3 London Heathrow Airport London, GB (LHR) 67 915 389

4 Haneda International Airport Tokyo, JP (HND) 63 282 219

5 Los Angeles International AIrport Los Angeles, US (LAX) 61 485 269

6 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Dallas, US (DFW) 59 064 360

7 Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris, FR (CDG) 53 756 200

8 Frankfurt Airport Frankfurt, DE (FRA) 52 219 412

9 McCarran International Airport Las Vegas, US (LAS) 44 280 190

10 Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Amsterdam, NL (AMS) 44 163 098

 1.2 Airport Terminals
Departing passengers arrive at the airport and
check-in at the departure terminal. Many of the
larger airports have more than one terminal
building, so it is important to communicate
information about check-in terminal numbers to
travel customers. Departure terminals are
normally numbered at multi-terminal airports. This
information should be included in the passenger’s
copy of the trip itinerary. In larger, multi-terminal
airports (such as Heathrow), each terminal usually
has both a departure and an arrival area. Arrival
areas are often located on the lower terminal level
while departure areas are on the upper level.
Figure 1.1-Illustration of Heathrow’s five terminals
(http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/
airport-maps)
 Heathrow is one of the largest and busiest hub airport in the world; it has five separate terminals. In
general, one terminal is home to the national airline. For example, most British Airways flights arrive
and depart at Heathrow Airport’s terminal 5. Each airport has its own website with information about
each terminal and airlines served.

Heathrow Airport Terminal Carriers

(LHR)

Terminal 1 BA, CY, FI, JJ, LH, LO, LX, LY, NZ, OS, OZ, SA, SN, TP,
VS
Terminal 2 AC, AV, CA, EI, UA
Terminal 3 AA, AY, BA, CX, DL, EK, JL, MS, PK, QF, SK, SQ, TK,
US, VS
Terminal 4 AF, AI, AM, AT, AZ, DL, EY, KE, KL, KQ, MH, QR, SU, SV
Terminal 5 BA, IB
Key Learning Point
Many airports have more than one airport terminal. Each terminal serves different airlines. The
airport website or a reservation system advises terminal numbers for flight arrivals and
departures.
1.3 Departure Formalities

When a passenger arrives at the airport for their flight, there are four main
formalities to complete for departure.
Check-in
Having arrived at the correct terminal, all passengers
proceed through check-in formalities. Check-in is where
passengers present their electronic ticket (e-ticket)
reservation code and passport/ID to the airline check-in
staff. In many cases, passengers travelling on e-tickets
are able to check themselves for a flight using self-
service touch-screen kiosks in the airport terminal or
they may even check-in online from home. Documents
and luggage are verified and luggage is also checked-in
where necessary, and a “boarding pass” is given to the
passenger to board a flight. Checked baggage that will
be loaded into the cargo hold of the aircraft.
 The internet allows passenger to print their
own boarding pass from their home or office,
simply by accessing an airline website and
entering their e-ticket reservation code. Many
airlines have moved to issuing electronic
boarding passes, whereby the passenger
checks in either online or on a mobile device.
The boarding pass is then sent to the mobile
device as a SMS (Short Messaging Service) or e-
mail. The customer can request a mobile
boarding pass by accessing his or her
reservation on the airline website.
Each airline has the final responsibility to the immigration authorities for ensuring that all
passengers are holding valid passports and visas to enter another country. Heavy fines are
imposed on airlines for passengers who arrive at their destination without the correct entry
permits. This, however, should rarely occur if check-in procedures are performed correctly.
Passport Control and Security Checks
After completing all check in formalities, all passengers proceed to the airport passport control
and security checkpoint. The airport is responsible for ensuring that only passengers holding a
boarding pass enter the transit are where they wait to board their flight. The passport and
security checkpoint is staffed by airport personnel who are responsible to perform the
following checks:

● The passenger is holding a boarding pass for a valid flight departure.

● The passenger’s passport name matches with the name printed on the boarding pass
● The passenger and his/her personal belongings are manually checked or x-rayed to
ensure that they do not carry restricted or dangerous articles.
Transit Area

The transit area is also called the

airport concourse. Here departing
passengers wait to board their
flight. They can take advantage of
airport facilities such as duty-free
shops and restaurants.
Boarding

The next step is “ boarding.” At the boarding gate each passengers passport and
boarding pass must be presented. This is the last check before being allowed on
the aircraft.

Key Learning Point

All passengers need a valid ticket, passport, and visa (if required) for their
journey before they may proceed through check-in.
1.4 Transit Areas

Often, passengers arriving at an airport

have not yet reached their final
destination and must transfer to a
connecting flight. These passengers wait
for the next flight in the transit area or
concourse.

Passengers in transit do not generally go

through customs and immigration
formalities. Baggage is usually transferred
from the arrival flight to the next
departing flight by the airport baggage
handlers.
Minimum Connecting Time
A minimum connection time (MCT) is the minimum time needed for passengers and baggage
to transfer between two flights. Four types of connection exist:

● The international connection: between two international flights.

● The domestic connection: between two flights within the same country.
● The international to domestic connection: between an arriving international flight and a
departing domestic flight.
● The domestic to international connection: the reverse of the previous example.

Key Learning Point

The average Minimum Connecting Time (MCT) for connecting between two
international flights at the same airport is 2 hours.
I/I: The international connection: between two international flights 45 minutes

D/D: The domestic connection: between two flights within the same country, 45 minutes

I/D: The international to domestic connection: between an arriving international flight and a
departing domestic flight, 55 minutes

D/I: The domestic to international connection: the reverse of the previous example, 45 minutes

You can find this information for the national airport on the airport’s main website.

Key Learning Point

Consider extra connecting time. Many flight routes experience delays. Connecting flights may be
between different airports within the same city. Passengers may need to travel to another terminal.
1.5 Arrival Formalities
Upon, arrival at the destination airport, all passengers experience the same formalities.

Immigration and Passport Control

All arriving passengers are checked to determine whether they are authorized to enter the country. In
addition, if applicable, passengers are subject to a health inspection, which is a procedure to check for
the International Vaccination Certificate. Some countries issues visas on arrival to nationals from
specific countries.
Baggage Claim

The passenger will pick up his checked

baggage at destination in the arrival hall. All
checked baggage is delivered to the baggage
claim area of the airport where passengers
can reclaim their luggage. The international
baggage claim area is locked after
immigration and passport control but prior
to customs control. Many baggage claim
areas also provide currency exchange
facilities.
Customs

After reclaiming their baggage, passengers

will be required to clear customs. Duty-free
and tax-free allowances are often indicated
in the customs hall and import declaration
forms are distributed on the arrival flight
for completion by each passenger before
landing.
Passengers arriving at an airport in the European Union may be offered three choices at the customs
inspection point. These are normally defined as follows:

1. The Red Channel: If passengers have goods or currency to declare, where a duty or tax is
voluntarily paid for imported goods.

Example: When goods purchased in another country exceed the personal duty-free
allowance

2. The Green Channel: For passengers who bring personal effects and goods that are not intended for
commercial purposes, and which do not exceed the duty- free allowance. Duty-free allowances,
restrictions, and lists of prohibited articles can be found in the TIM- the Travel Information Manual.

3. The Blue Channel: When travelling within the European Union (EU), passengers may use the blue
channel. Customs officers will monitor this area and spot checks are possible.
If a passenger is transiting a country it may be possible to deposit goods or
baggage not destined for the transit country in the transit customs area. On
departure, the goods are reclaimed and sent on to the passenger’s
destination.

Key Learning Point

Duty-free and tax-free allowances are listed in the TIM manual, and frequently
in the customs hall.
1.6 IATA- Simplifying Passenger Travel
IATA’s Simplifying Passenger Travel ( SPT) initiative brings together airlines, airports, governments,
travel agents and other bodies, with the aim of implementing a standardized flow of passengers
through the travel process (pre-access, check- in, boarding, and border control), while using
modern and sophisticated security and identification procedures to ensure the highest level of
security. This is IATA’s plan for the checkpoint of the future.
To maximize air travel security and reduce inconvenience to airline passengers, the International
Air Transport Association (IATA) plans a new security check process at airports. It is designed to
● Reduce passenger queues and inconvenient waiting times
● Apply enhanced passenger screening technology that allows them to walk through the
security checkpoint without removing clothes and unpacking belongings
● Respect the privacy and human rights of travelers
The new security procedures will use passport biometric data to
categorize travelers as:

● “Known travelers”: registered with government

authorities with secured personal background checks.
Known travelers will complete the airport security check
quickly.
● “Normal security travelers”: is the category of most
travelers.
● “Enhanced security travelers”: are those for whom little
information is available, or are randomly selected or
deemed to be a security risk. These travelers will endure
an additional level of screening.

Once the passenger is placed in the appropriate category, they

are directed to one of the three security lanes.
1.7 Unit Summary
In this Unit you have learned the top 10 busiest airports in the world. You learned that
airports have different layouts, but all have departure and arrival areas and larger airports
have several terminals. Regardless of the airport, passengers must proceed through the
same departure formalities: check- in, passport control/security checks, waiting in the
transit area, and boarding. When checking -in, passengers may also choose to check luggage
for the flight which must be carefully packed and must not contain hazardous items.
Passengers who transit at an airport must connect to their next flight. It is important to be
aware of the Minimum Connection Times for different types of flights for the transit airport
in question. Upon arrival at their destination all passengers must experience the same
arrival formalities: immigration and passport control, baggage claim, and customs. Finally,
you learned about IATA’s new checkpoint of the future which will improve the travel
experience for all passengers.