How Domodedovo Airport works. An inside look at the airport with the largest passenger traffic in Russia

The meaning of the word “airport” is familiar to every modern person. Despite this, people who travel somewhere by plane for the first time experience their first fear when entering the airport building. That is why it is useful for every traveler to familiarize himself with the rules of conduct on an airplane, but also to learn in more detail about what an airport is.

The word “Airport” is translated from Greek as an air harbor (pier). The wording of the modern definition looks a little different and is expanded.

An airport is a collection of buildings and structures whose main purpose is to receive and dispatch aircraft, base them and serve passengers.

For some objects of this type, a slightly different name is given - airfield. Despite the similarities, there is a difference between the two concepts and enterprises. Aerodrome from Greek means “air road”. In other words, this is an area of ​​water or land where there is airspace and all the necessary facilities for servicing and controlling aircraft: airplanes, helicopters, airplanes and others.

The difference is that the airport is capable of receiving and serving passengers, while the airfield is only capable of receiving aircraft. The airfield can be military or reserve. Moreover, the airport is capable of performing the functions of an airfield, but the latter cannot replace an airport.

Chicago O'HARA International Airport.

History of airfields

Until the 30s of the last century, airfields as such did not exist at all. In those days, airplanes could take off from almost any surface, since they did not require space to accelerate. After 1930, with the advent of multi-engine aircraft, it was necessary to create runways of at least 1,500 meters in length. Then the first airfields began to appear. Over time they have improved. Major renovations were carried out in 1959, with the advent of jet aircraft, and in 1970.

Modern airports are naturally more comfortable and safe for passengers and aircraft. Most airport terminals have many additional services, such as ATMs, pharmacies, shops and much more.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA

Airport construction

The construction of a new airport is a very serious and responsible undertaking that requires a large number of specialists involved. Before. As soon as the construction of objects begins, the territory on which construction is planned is carefully studied. The main selection criteria are:

1. Large area of ​​the selected site.
2. This place is not far from the urban agglomeration.
3. Remoteness of residential buildings due to noise.
4. Availability of access roads. This is a very important point, since there must be access to the airport, that is, roads leading to nearby settlements.
5. Interference and obstacles. The building must be located in an area where there are no objects that pose a potential danger to airliners. Such interference can be caused by towers, antennas and very tall buildings.

Once a site that meets all the requirements has been found, planning and design of the future airport begins. To do this, experts are beginning to study the potential level of development of the region that will presumably be served. Here, a number of factors are necessarily taken into account, including: passenger traffic, the number of flights, economic growth of the region and some others.

The most important indicator is the number of passenger traffic carried out in 12 calendar months. Based on this value, the parameters that the airport will comply with are derived. At this stage, a plan is drawn up for how passengers will get to the terminal building and back, and what services they will use. In addition, the working hours of airport services, for example, customs officers, are calculated.

The essence of the next stage of construction is to identify potential problems that may arise in the work. Issues such as:

1. ​Negative impact on the environment.
2. Identifying the role of the new airport in the system of existing ones.
3. Design of interaction with air traffic control services.
4. Development and approval of the master plan.
5. Design of buildings and structures.

At this stage, it is very important to involve only qualified specialists (engineers, builders, architects) in the work, since the reconstruction of the airport will be carried out no more often than once every 15-20 years.

A mandatory activity is to study the impact on the environment. The nearby area within a radius of up to 60 km is being studied. In addition, options for the work of dispatchers who will control air traffic within a radius of 80 km are being considered.

When all previous issues have been resolved, the expert commission begins to develop and approve the master plan. This stage is the most important in all preparation for construction. It is at this stage that the planning of passenger and cargo air terminals, the design of access roads and buildings are developed. This stage ends with linking the interaction of all components of the airport under construction.

Airport construction

Classification

An airport – what it is is clear to every person. But few people know that airports are subject to classification. They are divided into several groups based on certain criteria. So, an airport can be a base airport and a backup airport. Regular flights are carried out through the first, and the second is in reserve, used only in case of emergency.

Airports are divided into passenger, cargo and cargo-passenger airports. Depending on the number of passengers served over the past 12 months, airports are assigned one of five existing classes:

1. More than 10,000,000 passengers.
2. From 7 to 4 million
3. From 4 to 2 million
4. Over 500 thousand.
5. Less than 500 thousand.

In addition to this, there is a classification based on the length of the runway. Of course, airports also differ in status - international or domestic. Belonging to one or another category is not constant and may change depending on the activities and capabilities of the airport.

Memphis International Airport is a military-civil airport

Rules of conduct for passengers

Even if passengers know what an airport is, not everyone is familiar with the basic rules of behavior on the territory of the airport terminal. Despite this, every person arriving at the airport must be familiar with the rules. If a person wants to avoid all sorts of misunderstandings and conflicts with airport employees, he needs to know the following:

1. You should arrive at the airport on time. Firstly, the absence of haste and panic will save the passenger’s nerves. And secondly, a person may simply be late for a flight if there is any hiccup at the check-in and security check stage.
2. You should not try to carry prohibited items in your luggage, naively believing that no one will pay attention to them. Due to the increasing incidence of terrorist attacks on board airliners, checking of carried baggage has become even more stringent than before. That is why, by trying to disguise some prohibited item in a suitcase, a passenger only creates problems for himself and wastes the time of other passengers on board.
3. It is highly recommended not to consume large quantities of alcoholic beverages before boarding. You can also calm your nerves with the help of medical sedatives. As a last resort, after takeoff, you can ask the flight attendant to bring alcohol, the consumption of which is provided and acceptable on most airlines.
4. When passing through customs, you should not try to openly joke with the employees, much less be rude to them. You need to understand that your vacation or business trip depends on the decisions of these people. There is no need to be annoyed by requests from customs officers to open your luggage - this is simply compliance with security standards, and airport employees are doing their job.
5. The most correct thing is calm, adequate and natural behavior that does not attract the attention of airport staff. This point also needs to be remembered.
6. There is no need to panic for any reason. As a last resort, you can always contact the airport staff, who are obliged to help. Even if you are lost, you should not stop other passengers; you must contact the employees.

It should be remembered that incorrect behavior or entering into an unreasonable conflict with employees may result in the latter turning to law enforcement officers.

Airport check-in

Employee powers

Employees of several services are involved in the operation of airports. Their efforts are mainly aimed at ensuring the safety of passengers.

Management is directly responsible for ensuring safety on the territory of the airport terminal, and also ensures that passengers' stay in the building is as comfortable as possible.

The powers of employees who have direct contact with passengers include registering air tickets, accepting and distributing baggage, and monitoring the movement of passengers. Customs control officers have the right to conduct a detailed inspection of passengers and their personal belongings before boarding the aircraft.

Passing the security check

If for some reason a conflict situation arises between airport employees and passengers, both of them have the right to file a claim or contact law enforcement agencies. Communication between employees and passengers is based on mutual respect. You can learn more about the rules of behavior and powers of employees from the airport administration.

In contact with

In the modern world, air travel is becoming more and more accessible, and given the speed of travel, more profitable, so people spend a lot of time at airports, and for many, the airport is like a second home. What does a passenger see when getting to the airport? The reception desk, the waiting room and... everything, as usual. But an airport is a multitude of services and people who ensure its smooth operation, passenger comfort and flight safety.

The modern Samara airport terminal, commissioned last year, opened its doors to the most closed rooms for Samara and Tolyatti bloggers. Among them, I was able to see the work of the airport. Do you want to take a look at what is hidden from the eyes of ordinary passengers? Then I ask under cat.

The weather conditions on the day of shooting were quite harsh - frost around -20°C and a snowstorm. In such weather, before departure, all aircraft undergo mandatory anti-icing treatment.
(all photos by clicking open in a larger size)

1. A special car - a deicer - drives up to the plane. There is a person in the cradle at the end of the mechanical arm.

2. While driving around the plane in a circle, the load-bearing and control elements of the plane are sprayed with de-icer.

3. At this time, snow is being cleared on the runway - nothing should interfere with planes taking off or landing. New modern Volvo snow blowers allow you to automatically adjust the position of the blade so that it does not catch the runway surface.

5. And at the parking lot, pre-flight service has already been completed, the last passengers are boarding.

6. Everything is under constant control.

7. The snow fell almost non-stop that day, so cleaning the platform did not stop for a minute.

10. Driving an airfield tractor is not an easy and very responsible job.

11. The plane is rolled onto the taxiway.

12. An escort vehicle is already waiting here to escort the plane to the runway.

13. Jet jets of air from the engines raise snow dust and everything dissolves in fog.

14. Let's return from the frosty street to the warm air terminal. Not far from the entrance to the building there are ticket offices, so if you did not have time or were unable to purchase a ticket in the city, or, while seeing off friends, you have an irresistible desire to go on a trip with them, you can do this directly at the airport.

15. Friendly cashiers will help you choose the most convenient flight to your chosen destination.

18. Unfortunately, not all people are able to remain within the bounds of decency and behave correctly. Passengers express anything they are dissatisfied with to the lovely girls at the check-in desk.

19. And although their task is only to check documents, accept luggage and register the passenger for the flight...

20. ...they will answer your questions with a constant smile and help solve any problem.

21. After check-in, your luggage goes through inspection. Here, a special system illuminates backpacks and suitcases and colors the contents in different colors, depending on the type of material from which they are made. If everything is in order, a mark is placed on the suitcase, otherwise, if something causes suspicion, the baggage is put aside, the passenger is called over the speakerphone and asked to open it and show what it is carrying.

24. After passing through inspection, bags and suitcases go through a conveyor belt into the luggage compartment. On the left, behind the net, you can see the luggage compartment for international flights.

26. Baggage is transferred to trolleys in accordance with the flight.

27. A small diesel Toyota is a very maneuverable little car. I wish I could ride it! :)

28. The head of the PDSP is serious - it’s unusual to see outsiders in a closed area who try to get in with impunity wherever possible. :)

29. Briefing room. Here the pilots prepare for the flight - they watch weather reports, study flight plans for the upcoming flight, receive collections of aviation maps and diagrams, a lot of other necessary information, and also conduct briefings with senior flight attendants.

30. Pilots receive all documentation from the navigator. By the way, Vladimir Nikolaevich is 71 years old, but can you tell by him?

31. Mandatory procedure - pre-flight medical examination.

32. Having completed it, you can now study the received documents in a calm atmosphere.

36. We move from office premises to utility rooms. The water supply system of the airport terminal is all clean and tidy, even unusual.

38. The ventilation and air conditioning system is fully automated, controlled and monitored from a computer in the office. A visit by staff is only required to change filters - the air in the terminal premises must be clean and fresh.

With the expansion of the geography of passenger transportation, each country acquired several dozen airfields - large and small, for international and regional flights. One of the first airports was Devau. This is a German air terminal complex located in Königsberg.

Construction of an airport in Russia or any other country costs many millions of dollars. This is due to the fact that it is necessary to take into account many factors - the convenience of travelers, increasing passenger traffic, ensuring safety, and compliance with international standards. But what is an airport in the general sense of the word? More about this below.

The word itself came into Russian from French. There it in turn was formed from the merger of two Greek words - “airy” and “harbour”. From this we can conclude that an airport is an air harbor or “air gate” of a particular country/city/region.

The dictionary defines this term as several buildings that are intended for receiving, dispatching and servicing aircraft. It consists of an airfield or air terminal. Large complexes may include several air terminals.

What is an airport? This is the word in English that means . This is what is placed on the airport terminal building in any country in the world. Some of them are given names. Usually, by the names of nearby villages or small towns.

Today, airports are entire complexes of buildings and services that provide safety and comfort for passengers.

The first of them began to appear in Europe at the beginning of the last century. In the 20-30s the first terminal complexes were built. Until this time, only airplanes existed, and they did not require acceleration to take off. With the advent of multi-engine aircraft, the need to design airfields and runways arose.

Airport classifications

According to their classification they are divided to domestic and international. In Russia they have special statuses - federal, regional and local significance.

The first are those that represent the hub elements of the national aviation system. These are airports with a general level of passenger traffic at least 500 thousand per year.

Regional air complexes are engaged in interregional transportation and are owned by local authorities.

Local airports receive and dispatch intraregional air transport flights.

Airport in Abu Dhabi.

According to their purpose, they are divided into passenger, cargo and cargo-passenger. There is a separate classification according to the level of passenger traffic. They are divided from 1 to 5. If the level exceeds 10 million people per year, then it is called non-class. If it is less than 0.1 million per year, then it is assigned the status of “unskilled”.

There are alternate and base airfields. The former are used constantly, for the air route system, and the latter - occasionally, in case of bad weather conditions, etc.

The meaning of the term “terminal”

Any airport complex includes several terminals. But what is an airport terminal? The word itself came into Russian from English. Literally it means “limit” or “end”. That is, the final part of some system that provides communication with the external environment.

The terminals were needed in order to increase passenger traffic at the airport complex and help travelers quickly and easily find their way to board planes. Its other purpose is to organize the smooth and uninterrupted operation of the entire complex.

The terminal contains customs control, cafes, restaurants, shops, representative offices, etc.

An airport terminal is a building where passengers go through passport and customs control and wait for their flight. The classic terminal complex includes two of them - for international and domestic transport.

If you have ever flown on an airplane, you have been at the airport, sat in the waiting room, ate buns in a local cafe... but have you ever been in a separate business aviation terminal, from where oligarchs fly off on private planes?

You can get to the Airport either by car:

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Or come by train:

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Upon entering the terminal building, you find yourself in the central hall:

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If you arrived early and check-in for your flight has not yet begun, you can sit in one of the waiting rooms:

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A team of doctors is on duty at the airport around the clock, ready to provide medical assistance (I filmed here at 5 am):

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If you are traveling with a child, then it is best for you to wait in the mother and child room. It is spacious and the sofas are comfortable:

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Many passengers choose to wrap their luggage in film in an attempt to keep it clean:

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You can either register yourself using the machines:

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Or go to the counter where airport and airline staff will meet you:

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You can only carry hand luggage on the plane. Basic luggage must be checked in. A special tag will be placed on it and sent to the luggage compartment. I already wrote about what happens to the suitcase in it in the article Airport from the point of view of a suitcase:

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Oversized (large) or fragile luggage is checked at a separate counter:

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If you are late at the airport and check-in for your flight has already been completed, but the plane has not yet departed, you can check in through the late passenger check-in desk:

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After checking in, you will have to go through a security check area:

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If employees have any doubts, they can invite a dog handler with a dog:

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If you have a few minutes before boarding the plane, you can use the Internet:

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Watch a movie in a special DVD bar:

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Go shopping:

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Or sit in a cafe:

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At the appointed time, you will board the plane, where you will be met by flight attendants:

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If for any reason your flight is canceled or delayed, then you can use the services of Airhotel. The reception desk is located right at the airport:

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Business class passengers are checked in at a separate counter (see main photo) and invited to the business lounge:

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Usually, in such halls you can have a free snack, drink and drink:

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Almost any airport provides an additional VIP escort service:

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In this case, you will not register with everyone else, but inside the “Hall for Officials and Delegations”. They will ask you to sit down in a chair, take your documents and register you without your participation:

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Unlike the business lounge, food and drinks here are paid:

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Personal searches are carried out in the same way as in the general hall. No concessions. But they take you to the plane at the very last moment, and if it is not at the jet bridge, then they take you on a separate bus.

Arriving through the VIP zone is even more pleasant than flying away. You will be met right at the plane's steps and taken to the VIP lounge, where you will wait while the lounge employee goes through passport control for you and receives your suitcases:

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If you don't like the crowds and cramped conditions of regular flights, you can purchase or rent a private jet:

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In this case, you will check in for your flight in a separate terminal:

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It is more spacious here than in the VIP room, and the furniture is better:

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An airport as a complex of buildings and structures includes: an airfield intended for: ensuring take-offs, landings, taxiing, parking and servicing of aircraft; service and technical territory (STT), intended :-, for the location of buildings and structures for servicing passenger, cargo and postal transportation, aircraft maintenance, aviation fuel supply facilities, control room buildings with an antenna field and industrial buildings and structures for auxiliary purposes, territories of separate air traffic control structures, radio navigation and landing, treatment and water intake facilities, warehouses for fuel and lubricants, etc.

Service and technical territory (CTT)- part of the airport territory where buildings and structures are located, intended for performing technological operations related to servicing passenger, cargo and postal transportation, and performing certain types of aircraft maintenance. The airport's STT also houses buildings and structures for auxiliary purposes (airport and aviation control building, dispensary, airfield service base, special motor depot, etc.).

Airport area- the area adjacent to the airfield over which aircraft are maneuvering in the airspace. The airspace above the airfield and the surrounding area within established boundaries is called the airfield area.

Some airport facilities and equipment are located separately, outside its territory, but can conditionally be classified as an airfield or STT. Such structures include; for example, some radio navigation, landing and air traffic control (ATC) facilities, transshipment warehouses for fuels and lubricants (fuels and lubricants), etc.

An airport as an air transport enterprise is a single technological complex, including buildings and structures for primary production and auxiliary purposes, as well as utility networks and structures.

The operating technology of the airport and its individual buildings and structures ensures:

ü service of passenger, cargo and postal transportation;

ü performing special aviation work,

ü operation of aircraft;

ü creating conditions for the safe, environmentally efficient and harmonious, in terms of environmental and sanitary standards, implementation of all technological processes;

ü creation of socially normal conditions for the stay of passengers at the airport, including for the disabled and elderly;

ü reducing the time spent at the airport for passengers, cargo, mail and luggage;

ü creating maximum opportunities for airport staff and its services to ensure the implementation of technological processes;

ü possibility of accommodation; operation and maintenance of high-performance technological equipment, means of mechanization and automation of technological processes;

ü technological and organizational interaction of individual airport services;

ü the ability to organize and carry out measures for civil defense and prevention of the consequences of emergency situations;

ü safe working conditions for airport personnel.

Airport master plan

The airport master plan represents a comprehensive solution to the issues of planning and landscaping the territory, placing on it the necessary buildings and structures, air traffic control facilities, radio navigation and aircraft landing, as well as transport communications and engineering networks that ensure the safety and regularity of air transport. The complex of buildings and structures of the airport is depicted graphically on a drawing on a set scale and taking into account certain requirements, representing a diagram of the general plan (general plan) of the airport.

When developing and approving a master plan for the construction, reconstruction of an airport or its individual structures, a number of regulatory requirements are met. The main documents defining these requirements are the Federal Aviation Regulations. “Technological design and construction of civil aviation airports” and “Technological design and construction of civil aviation airfields”.

The airport master plan must provide:

ü sufficient dimensions for the location of the airfield, STT, separate buildings and structures of air traffic control, radio navigation and landing, fuel and lubricants warehouses, central control systems and other buildings and structures, taking into account the prospects for their development;

ü transport connections convenient for transporting passengers and cargo between cities and towns served by this airport, taking into account their development prospects;

ü requirements for the airfield area in terms of obtaining data on the height and location of obstacles of high-rise objects that may pose a danger; for flights in the airfield area, and to areas that provide the required distance between individual airfields, the airfield and residential areas;

ü requirements for environmental protection, including permissible levels of noise impact from aircraft on residential areas, microwave exposure from radio equipment, maximum concentrations of harmful emissions into the atmosphere, soil and water bodies

The general plan indicates the boundaries of the functional zones of the main elements of the airport: the airfield and the STT. The boundaries of the airfield are represented by lines; spaced from the airstrip at a distance that ensures the height of the airport fence complies with the current requirements for limiting the heights of obstacles and spaced at a distance that ensures the placement of drainage ditches and patrol roads between the airstrip and the airport fence. The boundary of the STT is represented along the line of the designed fencing of buildings and structures located along the perimeter of the STT, with the exception of the side adjacent to the airfield.

The master plan should reflect the development of the airport for the long term (usually 20 years), highlighting, if necessary, the order of construction of facilities.

The master plan must ensure the unity of technological and planning solutions for the airfield and the service and technical territory.

The placement of airport buildings and structures on the general plan is carried out depending on the location of the runways, the nature of the STT development, access from the city, the layout of intra-port roads, driveways, squares and features of the natural conditions of the site, taking into account architectural, planning, fire, environmental and sanitary standards, ensuring the improvement of the building site.

The airport master plan is developed on the basis of a situational plan of the area, taking into account the development of adjacent territories.

"Aerodrome- a plot of land or water surface with buildings, structures and equipment located on it, intended for take-off, landing, taxiing and storage of aircraft” (VK RF). Some types of ground services for passengers (boarding, disembarking, transporting passengers) are carried out within the airfield; technological operations (loading, unloading, transportation) of cargo, mail, luggage, passengers, as well as some types of BC technical maintenance.

Civil aviation airports are divided into:

- by type of runway surface - to airfields with artificial turf (RWPP), unpaved airfields (GWPP), hydroairfields, snow and ice;

- by nature of use- for permanent and temporary, daytime and round-the-clock action;

- by appointment- for highway, factory, training and aerial work;

- by location and use by crews when flying along routes- for base, intermediate, departure, destination and spare;

- by height above sea level and relief characteristics- on mountain and plain;

- on approval for operation according to landing minimums- categorized and uncategorized.

Depending on the length of the runway and the load-bearing capacity of the coatings, airfields are divided into classes: A, B, C, D, D and E.

At classified aerodromes, a reserve runway must be prepared and constantly maintained in operational readiness for take-off and landing of aircraft.

If there are two or more runways at an aerodrome, and also if the aerodrome with a runway is located in cramped conditions (difficult terrain, etc.), a BFS prepared as a main runway can be used for an emergency landing of an aircraft.

Aerodromes with runways smaller than Class E airfields are classified as unclassified airfields.

For occasional, seasonal flights, in addition to airfields, landing sites can be used, the dimensions of which ensure the safe takeoff and landing of an aircraft of the appropriate type.