Airports are complex infrastructures where technology, logistics and design converge to enable the efficient and safe transport of millions of people and goods every day.
From the moment we enter an aircraft until we take off, we move through different sections, each designed for a specific purpose.
Get to know the basic parts of an airport thanks to our experts in airport design and planning. You will know the role each plays in the overall operation of the airport.
What are the most important parts of an airport?
The airport structure is composed of different areas, each designed with a specific function that facilitates the flow of passengers and aircraft.
Passenger terminal is undoubtedly the most recognized part of the airport, and where most of the interactions between passengers and airport staff take place.
This area includes the following sections:
Check-in counters: This is where passengers check in for their flight, drop off their baggage and obtain their boarding pass. The organization of the counters is usually divided by airlines or specific flights to facilitate the flow of people.
Safety zone: This is a key checkpoint where security inspections are carried out for both passengers and their carry-on baggage. Access is restricted and controlled by security personnel, who ensure that no prohibited items are transported in the boarding area.
Boarding lounges: After passing through security, passengers enter the boarding lounges, where they wait to board their flights. These lounges usually have duty-free stores, restaurants and rest areas.
Earth Side and Air Side
In general terms, an airport is divided into two main areas: the earth side and the air side.
Landside: Includes all areas where access is free to the public. Here are the stores, restaurants, waiting areas and check-in counters. This area also includes the entrances and parking lots.
Airside: Runway: This is the area where runways, taxiways and aprons are located. Access is restricted to authorized personnel, and this is where aircraft prepare, take off and land. The airside is also divided into different sections, such as the runway and aircraft maintenance area.
Runways and control tower
Runways, on the other hand, are one of the most critical parts of an airport. These long paved surfaces, often several kilometers long, are designed to support the weight and speed of the aircraft when taking off or landing.
Depending on the size of the airport and the type of aircraft it handles, there may be several runways with specific orientations to optimize operation according to wind conditions.
After landing, the aircraft use the taxiways to move to the apron or boarding area. Taxiways are paved roads that connect runways to aprons and terminals.
Aprons are areas where aircraft park to allow for passenger embarkation and disembarkation, as well as fueling and light maintenance.
Finally, the control tower is the heart of air traffic operations at the airport. From this point, air traffic controllers monitor and direct the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the surrounding airspace.
The control tower ensures that air traffic flows in an orderly and safe manner by instructing pilots to take off, land or move along runways and taxiways.
How are airport zones designed?
The design of an airport is not casual and responds to strict parameters of efficiency, safety and capacity. There are several considerations that architects and engineers take into account:
Safety is fundamental. From the ground area to the airside, each area must be delimited and controlled. Terminals are designed with physical barriers and checkpoints to limit access based on the function of the area.
It is essential that the flow of passengers and their baggage is continuous and unobstructed. This is achieved through the layout of check-in counters, the location of security checkpoints and signage to guide passengers.
Airports must be prepared to handle increasing numbers of passengers. Terminals and runways are usually designed with scalability margins for future expansion.
Runway orientation is based on studies of the wind conditions and meteorology of the area, ensuring that takeoff and landing operations are carried out in the safest possible manner.
In recent years, airports have integrated advanced technologies and sustainable practices into their design. From real-time monitoring systems to the use of renewable energy, airport design seeks to minimize environmental impact while optimizing operational efficiency.
Conclusion
Ultimately, knowing the basic parts of an airport allows us to better understand how these complex and vital transportation hubs operate around the world. Each area has a specific and fundamental purpose in ensuring that millions of passengers travel safely and smoothly.