Posted on March 20th, 2023
An airport is a location where aircraft such as commercial and business jets, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft take off and land. An airport has at least one paved or flat runway surface for planes, a helipad, or designated water runways for takeoffs and landings. Several types of airports serve a different purposes and require specific facilities to meet their needs. For example, small airports handle general aviation flights, while large ones handle commercial airlines and cargo planes.
A vital part of a modern airport’s design is how the runways, terminals, and other facilities are laid out. This helps to ensure the most efficient flow of passengers and aircraft across the airport and into the airspace.
The runways, taxiways, and aprons layout is essential for safe landings and takeoffs and facilitates maneuvering and locating planes on the ground. These are complemented by lighting and radio navigational aids to keep pilots, aircraft, and passengers safe.
Airports are large and small and are both domestic and international. The facilities include buildings such as control towers, hangars, and passenger terminals. Aircraft are stored and maintained at airports in hangars on the ground, on ramps, or on aprons.
