The airport consists of what parts. Components of the airport

Modern people spend a lot of time traveling, and for many, the airport is like a second home. The area of ​​some airports is comparable to the area of ​​an entire city, and the Al Maktoum airport in Dubai is almost the same size as the state of Liechtenstein - 140 versus 160 square kilometers... How are the airports of our time arranged?

Major airports have several lobbies and passenger terminals... Airport guides even place information about each concourse on a separate page, as they contain a significant number of important objects for passengers. Moving from one to the other end of the terminal can take about an hour.

There is a whole network of baggage conveyor belts under the airport. Luggage arrives here through special "sleeves". The baggage check procedure is carefully thought out... First, a tag is attached to each suitcase at the check-in counter. The scanners then read the information and the baggage is moved along the belt. In some cases, additional manual verification is required.

After that, the passenger goes through the control. The green corridor should be used if the amount of cash, alcohol, cigarettes and other limited substances does not exceed the norm. If the passenger is not sure about this, it is better to use the red corridor. In extreme cases, you will need to pay a fee, and if the norm is exceeded in the green corridor, a large fine may be charged and an administrative offense case initiated.

Passengers should also remember about the norms of import into the country of arrival - often for purchases in stores. duty free you have to pay a significant amount of the fine.

After check-in, passengers go to boarding. Disembarkation and boarding of aircraft is carried out either through the "sleeve" or by bus. Since in the first case, the airlines are charged an additional fee, many of them save money and use the bus.

The aircraft parking lot is numbered just like a regular car park. Peron airfield used for parking aircraft during boarding - disembarking passengers and placing luggage.

The plane then follows to the runway. The end safety strip - yellow diagonal lane markings - protects the cover from powerful jet exhaust. Moved threshold - white arrows - part of the lane where taxiing, acceleration and mileage is allowed, but not landing.

The threshold - a white line with transverse stripes - marks the starting point of the landing. Special white marks - short longitudinal lines - mark a fixed distance and are located every 150 meters.

Upon arrival at the destination, a car immediately drives up to the plane and picks up the luggage. Movers unload it onto a belt, from where it goes directly to delivery.

Next, the aircraft is cleaned - two teams of five people can remove the A319 in just 9 minutes. If the cleaners find things forgotten in the cabin, they are handed over to the airlines. In parallel with the cleaning, the plane is refueled.

All passenger service processes are automated as much as possible, however, the loss of luggage and flight delays do occur from time to time. If this happens, don't worry, the airlines are legally bound and the passenger has a real chance of getting a refund.

The operation of an airport from the inside is similar to the life of a city-state. Leadership sets the strategic direction, and small areas, like administrative units, are in charge of day-to-day affairs. Their concern is public relations, human resources, financial and legal responsibilities. The police are guarding the order, firefighters are guarding the security. And whole teams take care of the cleanliness and provide food. There is also a “grocery store”. Different elements of the mechanism add up to a stunningly harmonious system, where everything works in order to lift you off the ground and bring you back whole, unharmed and contented. , you already know, now for the most curious we will tell you how everything works.

Airplane working day

1. Landing

2. Disembarkation of passengers

3. Garbage collection, emptying latrines

4. Unloading baggage

5. Unloading freight

6. Airplane refueling

7. transit check (check of the external condition and main components of the aircraft)

11. Water supply

12. Boarding passengers

13. Departure

Activities anywhere in the airport can be categorized into one of two categories:

1. Services for air transportation. This is everything that happens behind the gate - in front of the hangar, on the taxiway, on the runway, or in the maintenance, repair and operations department. Each such service serves the operation of the aircraft: Air Traffic Control (ATC), radio navigation, lighting, towing, refueling, de-icing, baggage operations, and more.

2. Other services (not for air travel). Actions “on the ground”: passenger management, parking, duty-free, baggage claim, etc.

What zones is the airport divided into?

Aerodrome and aerodrome territory

Takeoffs, landings, taxiing, parking and aircraft maintenance take place here. The components of the airfield are the airfield, the runway, the apron, where the aircraft is unloaded (including the disembarkation of passengers) and short-term parking and unloading are located. And parking spaces are special areas for maintenance and long-term aircraft parking. And the aerodrome territory is the space above which aircraft maneuver in the air.

Service and technical area (CTT)

Passenger service, cargo and mail handling, aircraft maintenance and fuel supply are carried out here. The administrative staff also works here.

Auxiliary buildings (warehouses, airfield service base, etc.) and separate structures of ATC, Air Traffic Management, radio navigation, landing, cleaning and water intake services are located at the airport's CTT. The service area is in charge of everything that comes into the sight of an ordinary passenger at the airport. It partially functions as a business center, operates local catering, lounges and other non-aeronautical activities, which, however, provides you with a comfortable flight.

What does the airport terminal consist of?

1. Zone before control (Pre-Security)

1. Incoming control

The item is optional. Entrance control is the most picky check that you come across in an air terminal building. The first luggage tapes and X-ray machines are located here. This formality ensures security at the airport.

2. Retail stores and restaurants

Forgot to buy some souvenirs? Don't like dining on board? Even before passing control in the terminal building, you can spend money and eat. In small shops, in addition to memorable gifts and groceries, they usually sell some little things that may suddenly be needed during the control. For example, jars for liquids with a volume of 100 ml (if you suddenly bring it to).

3. Check-in and baggage drop-off counter

The first point of the in-flight ceremony is (if you haven't done it online) and baggage drop-off. Airports different countries This procedure is approached in different ways: in the United States, for example, an employee picks up your suitcase and puts it on the conveyor manually, and at European airports, the staff usually sits at a desk while the passenger loads it onto the belt that leads to the main conveyor belt - human intervention minimal.

The checked-in passengers are distributed by the system according to their flights in the list, which is drawn up until the end of the check-in. At the same time, the luggage is divided according to the corresponding labels. Now this is increasingly happening automatically: online systems independently, excluding any manual work, send luggage to desired flight at the same time.

2. Zone after control (Post Security)

1. Customs and border control zones (for flights abroad)

As at land border points, to travel outside the state you need to go through passport control... Usually the windows are divided into "For N citizens" and "For all" (All passports, All nationalities). The procedure is standard. In the customs control zone, if necessary, you declare your property. If there is no need for bureaucratic agony, you go through the green corridor (Nothing to declare). If you need a customs declaration, head down the red corridor (Goods to declare).

2. Security check

After check-in, baggage drop-off and, possibly, passport and customs control, each passenger is examined together with hand luggage... Any deviation from country regulations or simply body language may require careful study and secondary screening. Change your shoes even with a small heel to shoe covers, take off your watches, belts and jewelry and shake out all the small metal change from your pockets. It is here that an oversized can of pesto or French blue cheese can be confiscated from you, which does not fit into the specified transportation parameters. Each person passing pre-flight security was listed at check-in. This document, the manifesto, is important not only so that passengers are not confused: it provides data on the load factor and is an important element in the chain of custody if something goes wrong.

3. Departures: waiting room, lounge, restaurants, duty-free

Between pre-flight security and departure, you will meet with the waiting room. In the departure area, all conditions have been created so that before the start of the trip (i.e. the signal to start boarding) or during the transfer, you do not have time to indulge in the blues. The space generates the retail paradise it could be: shops limited only by the size of the terminal, restaurants and lounges. When boarding begins, it is from there, from the desired gate, that you are transported to the plane - on foot, along the sleeve or by bus.

4. Arrival area: passport control, baggage return, customs control

The traffic rules in the arrivals area of ​​the airport are the same as for boarding. Just the opposite. The same procedures are lined up in the opposite order: first (if necessary) you show your passport, then you catch the suitcase you like on the tape (about what to do if your luggage is lost), and then, also only if necessary, you go through customs control. Voila, the flight is over!

Photo - unsplash.com

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Airports can be compared to cities not only in terms of area. In many ways, a modern airport is organized like a city. There, too, there is an administration, a budget, services that monitor safety and order. Let's take a closer look at the airport device.

What does the airport device depend on?

From its size. Most of us mean by airport huge complex with hangars, terminals, command and control posts and runways with an operating mode 24/7. But not all airports meet these standards.

Small airports

An airport is also called a scanty strip of asphalt among grass and mud, which is used no more than two to three hours a day. These runways often serve only one or two pilots. Such airports may not have any other structure other than a runway (runway).

Regional airports

They organize flights within one country, without international flights. Regional airports often serve not only civil aviation, but also the military.
The infrastructure at regional airports is more developed. It includes hangars, radio towers, pilot training facilities, and weather monitoring systems. Such facilities sometimes have lounges for pilots, trading floors, conference rooms, and a fuel storage facility.
The complete list of facilities depends on the traffic and destination of the airport.
The hangars of regional airports usually accommodate aircraft with a capacity of up to 200 people.

International airports

Organize regional and international flights... The infrastructure of international airports is complemented by duty-free shops, service stations, transport system inside terminals, customs control zones.
The runways and hangars of such airports serve aircraft of different capacities. From private - less than 50 people on board, to Airbus A380 - 853 passengers.

Runway strip

Regional airports may have only one runway. In international - from two to seven. The runway length depends on the weight of the aircraft. For example, a Boeing 747 or Airbus A380 requires a runway with a length of 3300 m to take off.And for takeoff of aircraft with a capacity of up to 20 passengers, 914 m is enough.

Stripes can be:

• Singles. Engineers plan the location of the runway based on the prevailing wind direction.
• Parallel. The distance between the two runways depends on the size and number of aircraft using the aerodrome, with an average of 762 m to 1,310 m.
• V-shaped. The two runways converge but do not intersect. This arrangement gives air traffic controllers the flexibility to maneuver airplanes on the runway. For example, in light winds, the controller will use both runways. But if the wind increases in one direction, controllers will use the runway that allows the aircraft to take off upwind.
• Crossed. Crossing runways are common at airports where prevailing winds change throughout the year. The point of intersection can be in the middle of each runway, in the sill zone where aircraft land, or at the end of the runway.

Taxiways

In addition to the runways, the airport is equipped with taxiways. They connect all airport buildings: terminals, hangars, parking lots, service stations. They are used to move aircraft to the runway or to the parking area.

Light signaling system

All international airports have the same lighting scheme. Pilots can use signal lights to distinguish runways from highways at night or in low visibility conditions. Green and white beacon lights indicate a civil airport. Green lights mark the threshold or start of the runway. Red lights signal the end of the lane. White or yellow lights define the runway edges. Blue lights distinguish taxiways from runways.

How the airport works: terminals

The terminals are the offices of airlines and services that are responsible for organizing passenger transportation, security, luggage, border, immigration and customs control. There are also restaurants and shops here.
The number of terminals and the total area of ​​the airport area depend on the traffic of the airport.

The terminal complex at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, USA, covers 230,000 m². It includes internal and international terminals, 207 gates for boarding / disembarking passengers, seven conference rooms, 90 shops and 56 service points, where passengers receive the necessary services - from polishing shoes to connecting to the Internet.

Airlines usually rent gates at the airport. But sometimes they build separate terminals. Like the Emirates airline at Dubai International Airport. In addition to lounges and aircraft exits, the Emirates terminal offers 11,000 m2 of retail space, three spa centers, and two Zen gardens.

Onboard food

Meals for aircraft passengers are prepared outside the airport. She is transported by truck and loaded on board. Catters deliver thousands of meals to one major airport every day. For example, three food vendors provide 158,000 meals each day to Hong Kong Airport.

Fuel supply system

On a flight from London Heathrow to Malaysian Kuala Lumpur, the Jumbo Jet consumes about 127,000 liters of fuel. Therefore lively international airports sell millions of fuel every day. Some airports use tank trucks to transport fuel from storage to aircraft. In others, the fuel is pumped through underground pipes directly to the terminals.

Safety system

Domestic passengers go through passport control and security control. Passengers on international flights go through customs, security and passport control.

Airports search for prohibited items using a combination of software and screening technologies - computed tomography, X-ray machines and blast trail detection systems. If necessary, passengers are subjected to body searches or full body scans.
Large airports complement the security system with fire services and ambulance stations.

How ground transport works at the airport

System land transport ensures the arrival of passengers at the airport and transportation from the air port to the city.

Typically, the ground transportation system includes:

• Roads to and from the airport.
• Car parks.
• Transport rental services.
• Flights to transport passengers to local hotels and car parks.
• Public transport - municipal buses and metro.

Large airports are equipped with an internal transfer system. It includes travelators, mini cars, automatic trains or buses.

An internal transfer system helps passengers get from one terminal to another or to the terminal gates faster.

Budget

Airports are huge enterprises. Denver Airport in the United States is worth about $ 5 billion. Its maintenance costs are $ 160 million per year. At the same time, the annual income of the state from the airport is $ 22.3 billion.
Airports, as a rule, own all the facilities on their territory. They rent them out to airlines, retail stores, service providers. A few more items of income of air ports are fees and taxes on air tickets and services - fuel, parking. Most airports are self-sustaining businesses.

Staff

About 90 percent of airport employees work for private companies: airlines, contractors, tenants. The remaining 10 percent work for the airport: administrators, attendants, security.

V modern world, air travel is becoming 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 he gets to the airport? The reception, the waiting room and ... everything, as a rule. But the airport is a multitude of services and people that ensure its smooth operation, passenger comfort and flight safety.

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

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

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

2. Going around the plane in a circle, the bearing and control elements of the plane are poured with anti-icing agent.

3. At this time, snow is being cleared on the runway - nothing should prevent aircraft from taking off or landing. Volvo's new state-of-the-art snow blowers allow the blade to be automatically adjusted so that it does not snag on the runway.

5. And in the parking lot, pre-flight service has already been completed, the last passengers are going on board.

6. Everything is under constant control.

7. Snow fell on that day almost without interruption, so the cleaning of the apron does not stop for a minute.

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

11. The plane is rolled out onto the taxiway.

12. An escort car is already waiting here, which will take the plane to the runway.

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

14. Let's return from the frosty street to the warm room of the terminal. Not far from the entrance to the building are located ticket offices, so if you did not have time or could not buy a ticket in the city, or, seeing off your friends, you have an irresistible desire to go on a trip with them - you can do it 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 stay within the bounds of decency and behave correctly. All that they are unhappy with, passengers express to cute girls at the check-in counter.

19. And although their task is only to check documents, take luggage and check in a passenger for the flight ...

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

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

24. After going through security, bags and suitcases are transported along a conveyor belt to the luggage compartment. On the left, behind the net, you can see the luggage compartment of international flights.

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

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

28. The head of the CPAP is serious - it is unusual to see outsiders in a closed area who are trying to climb with impunity wherever possible. :)

29. Briefing room. Here pilots prepare for the flight - they watch weather reports, study flight plans for the upcoming flight, receive collections of aviation maps and charts, 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 passed it, it is already possible to study the received documents in a calm atmosphere.

36. Moving from office premises to utility rooms. The water supply system of the terminal - everything is clean and tidy, not even familiar.

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

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

The construction of an airport in Russia or in 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, an increase in passenger turnover, security, compliance with international standards. But what is an airport in the general sense of the word? More on this below.

The word itself came into Russian from French. There it, in turn, was formed from the confluence of two Greek words - "air" and "harbor". From this we can conclude that the airport is Harbour Air 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 terminal. Large complexes may include several air terminals.

What is airport? This is a word in English that stands for. It is he who is placed on the 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. The first terminal complexes were built in the 1920s and 1930s. Until that time, only airplanes existed, and they did not require acceleration for takeoff. With the advent of multi-engine aircraft, it became necessary to design airfields and runways.

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 focal points of the national aviation system. These are airports with a general level of passenger traffic not less than 500 thousand per year.

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

Local airports receive and send intraregional, air transport flights.

Airport in Abu Dhabi.

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

There are alternate and base airfields. The former are used constantly, for the airway system, and the latter are used sporadically, 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 of English language. 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 the passenger flow of the airport complex and to help travelers quickly and easily find their gate to boarding planes. Its other purpose is to organize a clear and uninterrupted operation of the entire complex.

The terminal houses customs control, cafes, restaurants, shops, offices, etc.

The terminal at the airport is a building where passengers go through passport and customs controls and wait for their flight. The classic terminal complex includes two of them - for international and domestic traffic.