UNIT–1 Airport

Airport - Types of Airport – Classifications – Airport Structures – Domestic Airport –International Airport –
Regional Airport – Floating Airport – Water Airport – Heliport – Apron Management – Ground Support
Equipments
Airport
An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. They usually
consist 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 and to land or a helipad, and often
includes adjacent utility buildings such as control towers, hangars and terminals, to maintain and monitor
aircraft. 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, airports also typically
have one or more fixed-base operators, serving general aviation.
Airport operations are extremely complex, with a complicated system of aircraft support services, passenger
services, and aircraft control services contained within the operation. Thus airports can be major employers,
as well as important hubs for tourism and other kinds of transit. Because they are sites of operation for heavy
machinery, a number of regulations and safety measures have been implemented in airports, in order to
reduce hazards. Additionally, airports have major local environmental impacts, as both large sources of air
pollution, noise pollution and other environmental impacts, making them sites that acutely experience
the environmental effects of aviation. Airports are also vulnerable infrastructure to extreme weather, climate
change caused sea level rise and other disasters.
Most of the world's large airports are owned by local, regional, or national government bodies who then
lease the airport to private corporations who oversee the airport's operation.
Airports are divided into landside and airside zones. The landside is subject to fewer special laws and is part
of the public realm, while access to the airside zone is tightly controlled. Landside facilities may include
publicly accessible airport check-in desks, shops and ground transportation facilities. The airside area
includes all parts of the airport around the aircraft, and the parts of the buildings that are restricted to staff,
and sections of these extended to travelling, airside shopping, dining, or waiting passengers
Airport structure
The structure of an airport is designed to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of passengers, aircraft,
cargo, and other operational activities. The key components of an airport structure are broadly categorized
into airside facilities and landside facilities.
1. Airside Facilities: Airside refers to areas accessible only to aircraft and airport operations.
➢ Runways: Long, paved strips that serve as the primary surface for aircraft takeoff and landing.
Equipped with lighting, marking, and Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) for safe operations.
➢ Taxiways: Connect runways to aprons, terminals, and other facilities, allowing aircraft to taxi
between them.
➢ Aprons (Tarmacs): Designated areas for aircraft parking, fueling, and loading/unloading of
passengers and cargo.
➢ Aircraft Parking Bays: Areas where aircraft are parked at the apron for loading/unloading.
➢ Air Traffic Control Tower (ATC): Provides guidance to pilots for safe takeoff, landing, and taxiing on
runways and taxiways.
➢ Hangars: Large buildings used for aircraft maintenance, repair, storage, and assembly.
2. Landside Facilities: Landside refers to areas accessible to passengers, staff, and vehicles.
 ➢ Terminals: Main buildings where passengers check in, board, and arrive.Consist of various sections
like departure areas, baggage claim, ticketing counters, lounges, and customs.
➢ Check-in Counters & Security Screening Areas: Counter areas where passengers check-in for
flights and security screening to ensure passenger and baggage safety.
➢ Boarding Gates: Locations from where passengers board their aircraft.Typically located near
terminals.
➢ Passenger Terminals: Terminal buildings with facilities such as lounges, ticket counters, duty-free
shops, restaurants, and baggage handling.
➢ Baggage Claim Areas: Locations where passengers collect their checked-in luggage after arrival.
➢ Customs and Immigration Areas: Areas for processing international passengers and checking
documentation such as visas and customs declarations.
➢ Parking Areas: Spaces for vehicles, including private cars, taxis, buses, and rental cars.
3. Cargo Facilities: Dedicated to handling cargo and freight.
➢ Cargo Terminals: Areas for sorting, storing, and processing cargo shipments. Equipped with
facilities for customs clearance and cargo handling.
➢ Warehouses & Storage Areas: Secure areas for storing goods until they are transported by air or
other modes.
➢ Ground Handling Equipment: Forklifts, conveyor belts, and dollies for efficient cargo movement.
4. Support Facilities: These support the overall operations of the airport.
➢ Ground Handling Equipment: Used for loading/unloading cargo, fueling, baggage handling, and
aircraft servicing.
➢ Fueling Stations: Facilities for refueling aircraft with jet fuel.
➢ Fire and Rescue Services: Dedicated services for responding to emergencies, fire prevention, and
safety.
➢ Meteorological Stations: Provide weather forecasts and crucial information for flight operations.
➢ Airport Operations Control Center (AOCC): A central facility that oversees airport operations,
ensuring coordination between different departments.
Types and classifications of Airports
Airports can be categorized based on various criteria such as size, purpose, location, and operations.
1. Based on Size and Capacity 4. Based on Usage and Specialization
➢ International Airports ➢ Passenger Airports
➢ Domestic Airports ➢ Cargo Airports
➢ Regional Airports ➢ Military Airports
2. Based on Location and Accessibility 5. Based on Operations and Traffic Levels
➢ Urban Airports ➢ Hubs
➢ Rural/Remote Airports ➢ Focus Airports (Point-to-Point)
3. Based on Ownership and Management 6. Based on Environmental and Infrastructure
Focus
➢ Government Airports (Owned and Operated
by the AAI) ➢ Greenfield Airports
➢ Private Airports ➢ Brownfield Airports
Domestic Airport
A Domestic Airport serves flights that operate within the borders of the same country, connecting different
cities or regions.Primarily handles domestic passenger flights. Handles flights that operate within a country,
connecting cities, towns, and regions.
➢ Facilities: Runways, terminals, taxiways, and aprons for aircraft operations. Check-in counters,
security areas, baggage claim, and lounges for passengers. Customs and immigration areas may be
present if international connections are possible.
➢ Connectivity: Facilitates the movement of passengers and cargo between domestic destinations.
➢ Runways and Aprons: Designed to accommodate short and medium-haul aircraft like regional jets
and turboprops.
➢ Air Traffic Control: Managed by domestic ATC, ensuring safe operations without international
flight oversight.
➢ Security Measures: Focus on ensuring passenger safety and cargo checks; no customs or
immigration.
➢ Cargo Handling: Primarily handle limited domestic cargo, often less equipped than international
airports.
➢ Land Infrastructure: Airports may have rental car services, taxi stands, and limited hotel
accommodations.
➢ Regional Focus: Often used to boost regional connectivity, supporting local and domestic tourism.
International Airport
An International Airport serves flights that connect countries and facilitate both domestic and international
travel. Handles international passenger and cargo flights. Supports both international passenger and cargo
operations, connecting countries and regions. Example: Delhi IGI, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,
Chennai International.
➢ Facilities: Equipped with customs, immigration, and security areas for international passengers.
Runways, taxiways, and aprons designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft. Terminals with
specialized areas like duty-free shops, lounges, and baggage claim for international travellers. Often
serve as major hubs connecting global destinations.
➢ Customs and Immigration: Equipped with customs, immigration, and specialized security for
international travelers.
➢ Runways and Terminals: Larger infrastructure to handle wide-body aircraft and large passenger
volumes.
➢ Facilities: Include duty-free shops, lounges, and food courts catering to international travelers.
➢ Air Traffic Management: International ATC ensures safe operations with coordination for global
airspace.
➢ Cargo and Freight: Sophisticated cargo facilities for large-scale international cargo shipments.
➢ Hubs and Connectivity: Often serve as major international hubs, connecting global destinations.
➢ Passenger Experience: Advanced passenger amenities like lounges, priority boarding, and baggage
services.
➢ Security and Services: High-level security with advanced surveillance and border control systems.

Regional Airport
A Regional Airport serves smaller areas and facilitates local or regional traffic within a country. Handles
flights to and from nearby cities or smaller towns. Connects smaller towns or regions with limited direct
access to major airports Example: Leh Airport, Bagdogra Airport, Srinagar Airport.
 ➢ Runways and Facilities: Smaller runways and terminals, catering to short-haul flights and limited
aircraft.
➢ Passenger Facilities: Basic check-in counters, limited lounges, and simpler baggage handling
systems.
➢ Air Traffic Control: Basic ATC systems focused on regional flight operations.
➢ Cargo Operations: Less equipped for large cargo; generally support smaller-scale local freight.
➢ Cost and Accessibility: Lower infrastructure costs, aimed at improving connectivity for remote
regions.
➢ Connectivity: Facilitate regional development and tourism by connecting less populated areas to
larger cities.
➢ Infrastructure: Simple parking and limited hotel services due to smaller traffic volumes.
➢ Safety and Operations: Often lack the complexities of international airport operations.
4. Floating Airport
A Floating Airport is a unique concept where the airport infrastructure is built on water or near bodies of
water. Primarily used for seaplane operations, connecting remote areas inaccessible by land.Built on water to
support seaplane operations, serving remote or island communities.
➢ Seaplane Operations: Facilitates takeoff and landing on water, ideal for regions with limited
ground infrastructure.
➢ Runway and Terminal: Floating platforms or docks, similar to traditional runways but adapted for
water. Docking platforms, terminals, fueling stations, and passenger facilities similar to airports.
➢ Passenger and Cargo: Terminals designed to handle both passengers and cargo; similar in layout to
land-based airports.
➢ Weather Considerations: Built to withstand changing water conditions like tides, waves, and
fluctuating water levels.
➢ Connectivity: Connect remote regions like islands, archipelagos, or inaccessible areas via
seaplanes. Often built in regions with limited access to traditional airports, boosting regional
connectivity.
➢ Operations: Can reduce reliance on traditional airports by providing water-based access.
➢ Infrastructure Challenges: Must accommodate marine logistics and adapt to the environment’s
unique requirements. Weather conditions, tidal changes, and limited infrastructure pose operational
difficulties.
➢ Safety and Navigation: Must ensure safe navigation systems for seaplanes, including ATC
coordination.

Water Airport (Seaplane Base): A Water Airport refers to facilities specifically designed for seaplane
operations. Provides a base for seaplanes to land and take off from bodies of water.
Heliport
A Heliport is a specialized facility designed for the operation of helicopters. Designed for helicopter
operations, supporting short-distance travel and specialized services. Used for short-distance air transport,
search and rescue, medical evacuation (HEMS), and other helicopter-based services. Example: Juhu
Aerodrome (Mumbai Heliport), Delhi Heliport.
 ➢ Facilities: A helipad (landing pad), parking areas for helicopters, and sometimes a terminal building
for passengers and cargo. Security, fueling, and maintenance facilities specific to helicopters.
Commonly found in urban areas, remote regions, and offshore platforms like oil rigs.
➢ Types of Operations: Used for medical evacuations, search and rescue, corporate transportation, and
offshore operations.
➢ Location: Often located in urban centers, remote regions, or offshore platforms like oil rigs.
➢ Air Traffic Control: Basic ATC for helicopter operations, managing takeoff, landing, and flight
paths.
➢ Passenger and Cargo Handling: Minimal infrastructure compared to full-scale airports, focusing on
helicopter-specific needs.
➢ Safety and Accessibility: Essential for quick access in remote areas, offering quicker and localized
transport options.
➢ Cost and Infrastructure: Low cost and simple design, suitable for areas where larger airports aren’t
viable.
➢ Service Efficiency: Quick turnaround times and flexibility for short-distance operations.

Apron Management
An apron (also known as a ramp) is the area at an airport where aircraft park, load/unload passengers,
refuel, and undergo maintenance. Apron management ensures the smooth and efficient movement of aircraft,
passengers, cargo, and ground support equipment in this area.
➢ Aircraft Parking and Movements: Ensures proper allocation of parking bays for aircraft based on
flight schedules. Helps prevent congestion by assigning specific areas for arrivals, departures, and
maintenance. Aircraft should be positioned to avoid delays and optimize runway access.
➢ Ground Handling Operations: Facilitates refueling, boarding, disembarkation, and baggage
handling efficiently. Manages service vehicles such as catering, fueling trucks, and maintenance
equipment. Ensures these operations do not interfere with each other to maintain smooth workflow.
➢ Safety and Security: Establishes clear protocols for ground safety, including taxiing, parking, and
servicing of aircraft. Ensures that all ground vehicles comply with safety regulations and avoid
conflicts on the apron. Monitors and enforces airside safety zones to prevent unauthorized access or
equipment misuse.
➢ Traffic Coordination and Management: Coordinates the movement of aircraft, ground vehicles,
and personnel on the apron. Uses Air Traffic Control (ATC) and ground control units to direct the
flow of aircraft and vehicles. Balances aircraft arrivals and departures to minimize congestion and
delays.
➢ Baggage and Cargo Handling: Efficiently manages the movement of cargo and baggage between
aircraft and terminals. Ensures minimal handling delays by optimizing the positioning of cargo and
baggage handling systems.
➢ Resource Allocation: Assigns appropriate gates, stands, and parking areas to airlines and aircraft
types. Manages the allocation of ground handling equipment such as tugs, loading systems, and
refueling units. Coordinates the use of apron space to avoid bottlenecks.
➢ Maintenance and Servicing: Provides areas for routine aircraft maintenance, repairs, and
inspections. Coordinates aircraft turnaround times to minimize ground time and optimize operational
efficiency.