Afeez Main Urp302
Afeez Main Urp302
Afeez Main Urp302
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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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
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
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,
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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.
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,
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,
Security Infrastructure: Measures and facilities aimed at ensuring the safety and security of
passengers, aircraft, and personnel, including perimeter fencing, access control systems, surveillance
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
The capacity of an aerodrome is typically measured and assessed using various quantitative metrics and
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
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
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
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
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
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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,
Apron Design: Standards for apron layout, size, pavement strength, aircraft parking bay
dimensions, marking, and signage to accommodate aircraft parking, and loading, unloading,
Terminal Building Design: Requirements for terminal layout, size, capacity, architectural design,
passenger flow, security screening facilities, baggage handling systems, retail spaces, and
Air Traffic Control Tower Design: Specifications for the design and construction of air traffic
control towers, including height, visibility, structural integrity, communication equipment, radar
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.
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) -