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0 Introduction

An aerodrome, also known as an airfield in some regions, is a designated area where aircraft flight

operations take place. This encompasses a wide range of facilities, from small, local airstrips catering to

private planes to sprawling international airports that handle massive passenger jets and cargo flights.

Regardless of size or purpose, all aerodromes share some key characteristics.

The most essential element of an aerodrome is a defined landing area. This typically consists of a long,

paved runway suitable for the size and weight of the aircraft expected to use the facility. Some aerodromes

may have multiple runways to accommodate different wind directions or simultaneous takeoffs and

landings. In the case of seaplanes or amphibious aircraft, the landing area may be a designated section of

open water.

Beyond the landing area, a network of taxiways provides a path for aircraft to maneuver between runways,

hangars, and other facilities. Hangars are large buildings that serve as storage and maintenance areas for

airplanes. They shelter aircraft from the elements and provide a workspace for mechanics to perform repairs

and routine maintenance.

An aerodrome also requires a variety of support facilities to ensure the safe and efficient operation of

aircraft. This includes a control tower, which is staffed by air traffic controllers who guide incoming and

outgoing flights, maintaining separation and ensuring a smooth flow of air traffic. Additionally, there are

often facilities for refueling, fire and rescue services, customs and immigration checks (for international

airports), and passenger amenities in the case of commercial airports.

The specific layout and facilities of an aerodrome will vary depending on its purpose and capacity. Small,

local airfields may have minimal infrastructure, with a single runway, a basic hangar, and minimal

passenger facilities. Conversely, major international airports are sprawling complexes with multiple

runways, extensive taxiways, large terminal buildings with departure and arrival gates, cargo handling

facilities, and a wide range of shops and restaurants catering to travelers.

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1.1 Categories of an Aerodrome

1. Commercial services airports

These are airports that most people know, such as JFK in New York, Charles de Gaulle in Paris, Heathrow

in London, or Denver International Airport, among several others, are some examples, and also included are

airports that do not provide commercial services to the public.

At its facilities, flights arrive or depart anywhere in the world 24 hours a day. In addition, they also carry out

numerous connecting flights to any destination. They usually have traffic of more than 10 million

passengers per year, and in the largest cities, they can exceed 75 million, such as Atlanta airport in the USA.

2. Secondary commercial airports

These airports are located in smaller cities and, therefore, smaller than those in major cities. Secondary

commercial airports provide essential services in small cities but with a significant flow of travelers. They

also serve to ease the flow of flights from the main airports.

3. Loading airports

These airports are located in strategic areas in the industrial or economic field and are the point of arrival or

departure of goods to be transported by air. According to the FAA, the landed weight is the weight of an

aircraft that carries only cargo in interstate, intrastate and foreign air transportation. In this case, there are

overlapping functions since many primary or secondary commercial airports are also cargo airports.

4. Relay airports

This type of airport also belongs to freight airports, as they are used to reduce traffic at the busiest freight

airports. Unlike other airports, they can be public or private. The latter can benefit from diverting flights

from larger public airports.

5. General Aviation Airports

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General aviation is a category of civil aviation and refers to all flights unrelated to regular or non-regular

commercial aviation. Flights from this airport can be ultra-light, gliders, paramotors or freighters of the non-

regular itinerary. Therefore, most flights worldwide are offered at this type of airport. Among the airport’s

services is access to remote areas, private flights and serving tourist destinations.

a) Domestic airports

It is the first category of general aviation airports. Its function is to provide a transport service across

national and international borders. They are beneficial in small areas, islands, or remote places where no

large commercial airports exist.

b) Regional airports

It is the second category of general aviation airports. Its role is to manage regional interstate commerce and

provide greater freedom to companies to ship their products without having to pass through larger

commercial airports.

c) Local airports

It is the third type within general aviation airports. Their function is to manage intra-state trade and they are

especially useful for freeing domestic, regional, and commercial airports. Their effectiveness is proven as

long as they are adequately managed.

d) Basic airports

The fourth and last type of general aviation airport connects communities with the national airport system.

Its services include aircraft maintenance for emergency services, VIP charter flights, and some cargo flights,

along with flight training schools and personal flights.

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6. Unclassified Airports

This category is not well defined by institutions. Its main advantage is that it provides access to the entire

aviation system. Any airport that does not fit into any of the above categories will automatically be

designated as an unclassified airport, although this is not the norm. There are few exceptions to the typology

described above.

1.2 Components & Activities in an Aerodrome

 Runways: Paved surfaces designated for aircraft takeoff and landing, typically constructed with

durable materials capable of withstanding heavy loads and adverse weather conditions.

 Taxiways: Connected pathways used by aircraft to move between runways, parking aprons, and

terminal areas. Taxiways are designed to accommodate various types and sizes of aircraft.

 Aprons: Areas adjacent to terminal buildings where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded, and

refueled. Aprons may also include facilities for aircraft maintenance and servicing.

 Terminal Buildings: Passenger facilities housing amenities such as check-in counters, security

screening areas, departure lounges, arrival halls, baggage claim areas, retail outlets, and dining

establishments.

 Air Traffic Control Tower: A tall structure equipped with communication and surveillance systems

manned by air traffic controllers who manage aircraft movements within the aerodrome's airspace.

 Navigational Aids: Devices and systems providing guidance and navigation assistance to pilots

during takeoff, landing, and taxiing operations. This includes instruments like runway lights,

approach lighting systems, and radio navigation beacons.

 Ground Support Equipment: Vehicles and machinery used for aircraft servicing, towing, de-icing,

and other ground handling tasks. This includes aircraft tugs, baggage loaders, fuel trucks, and

catering vehicles.

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  Meteorological Equipment: Instruments and sensors deployed across the aerodrome to monitor

weather conditions such as wind speed, visibility, temperature, humidity, and precipitation,

providing vital information for flight planning and operations.

 Security Infrastructure: Measures and facilities aimed at ensuring the safety and security of

passengers, aircraft, and personnel, including perimeter fencing, access control systems, surveillance

cameras, and security checkpoints.

 Emergency Services: Fire stations, rescue teams, and medical facilities stationed on-site to respond

to emergencies such as aircraft accidents, medical emergencies, and fire incidents, adhering to strict

safety protocols and regulations.

1.3 Capacity of an Aerodrome

The capacity of an aerodrome is typically measured and assessed using various quantitative metrics and

figures, which may include:

 Passenger Capacity: The maximum number of passengers that an aerodrome can handle within a

given time frame, often measured in terms of passengers per hour or passengers per year.

 Aircraft Movements: The total number of takeoffs and landings (also known as movements) that an

aerodrome can accommodate within a specific period, such as daily, weekly, or annually.

 Runway Capacity: The maximum number of aircraft operations that can be conducted on a runway

in a specified time frame, considering factors such as runway length, width, and available separation

distances.

 Terminal Capacity: The ability of the terminal buildings to process and accommodate passengers

efficiently, including factors such as check-in counters, security screening lanes, boarding gates, and

seating capacity.

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 Parking Apron Capacity: The number of aircraft that can be parked or accommodated on the apron

simultaneously, taking into account factors such as aircraft size, parking bay dimensions, and

available maneuvering space.

 Baggage Handling Capacity: The capability of the baggage handling systems within the terminal to

process and transport baggage efficiently, measured in terms of bags per hour or bags per day.

 Customs and Immigration Processing Capacity: The ability of customs and immigration facilities to

process arriving and departing passengers, including passport control, customs inspections, and

immigration clearance, typically measured in terms of passengers per hour.

 Air Traffic Control Capacity: The capacity of the air traffic control systems and personnel to manage

and coordinate aircraft movements within the aerodrome's airspace safely, including factors such as

airspace congestion, controller workload, and communication frequencies.

1.4 Design Standards of an Aerodrome

Design standards of an aerodrome encompass a comprehensive set of guidelines, regulations, and

specifications established to ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable design, construction, and

operation of aerodrome infrastructure. These standards are developed and enforced by aviation

regulatory authorities, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national

aviation authorities, to maintain uniformity and consistency across aerodrome facilities worldwide. Key

components of aerodrome design standards include:

 Runway Design: Specifications for runway dimensions, orientation, gradient, pavement strength,

marking, and lighting to accommodate various types and sizes of aircraft and ensure safe takeoff

and landing operations under different weather conditions.

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 Taxiway Design: Guidelines for taxiway width, turning radius, pavement strength, signage, and

lighting to facilitate safe and efficient movement of aircraft between runways, parking aprons,

and terminal areas.

 Apron Design: Standards for apron layout, size, pavement strength, aircraft parking bay

dimensions, marking, and signage to accommodate aircraft parking, and loading, unloading,

refueling, and servicing activities.

 Terminal Building Design: Requirements for terminal layout, size, capacity, architectural design,

passenger flow, security screening facilities, baggage handling systems, retail spaces, and

amenities to provide a comfortable and efficient passenger experience.

 Air Traffic Control Tower Design: Specifications for the design and construction of air traffic

control towers, including height, visibility, structural integrity, communication equipment, radar

systems, and ergonomic considerations for air traffic controllers.

 Navigational Aids: Standards for the installation and maintenance of navigational aids such as

runway lighting systems, approach lighting systems, precision approach radar, instrument

landing systems, and radio navigation beacons to assist pilots during takeoff, landing, and taxiing

operations.

 Safety and Security: Guidelines for perimeter fencing, access control, surveillance cameras,

security checkpoints, fire protection systems, emergency response facilities, and contingency

planning to ensure the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and personnel.

 Environmental Considerations: Requirements for environmental impact assessments, noise

abatement measures, wildlife hazard management, land use planning, water resource

management, and sustainable practices to minimize adverse environmental impacts and promote

environmental stewardship.

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References

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2021). Airport Design and Engineering Standards.

https://www.airportgurus.com/en/different-types-of-airports/

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). (2022). Aerodrome Design and Operations (Doc 9157) -

Part 1: Aerodrome Design.