AirPort

An airport is a facility for the takeoff, landing, and maintenance of aircraft, enabling air travel and air freight. It includes runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals, hangars, and support facilities. It serves as a hub for passenger travel and cargo logistics, connecting cities and regions.

The airside area houses runways, taxiways, aircraft parking, and navigation aids. The landside area contains terminal buildings, check-in, security screening, baggage handling, retail, and access roads or rail links. Air traffic control and meteorological services coordinate flight operations. Ground handling, fueling, catering, and aircraft maintenance support daily activity.

Airports vary by use and scale: international airports handle long-haul international flights and passport controls; domestic and regional airports focus on shorter routes; hub airports concentrate traffic to connect passengers. Some airports are mixed civil-military or dedicated to cargo. Governance and funding come from government or private operators, with oversight by national aviation authorities.

Security and safety are central, including screening, perimeter protection, and emergency services. Environmental concerns include noise, emissions, and land use, with efforts to improve efficiency, electric ground equipment, and sustainable development. Airports are centers of regional economies, providing employment and stimulating tourism and trade.