lähtöportteja

Lähtöportteja, or departure gates, are the designated points in an airport terminal where passengers board aircraft. Each gate serves one or more flights and is identified by a gate number or letter. The concept applies to both domestic and international departures, with signage and information screens guiding passengers to the correct gate.

Lähtöportteja are located in the terminal’s concourses and are connected to the secure area of the building. From the gate area, passengers may board the aircraft directly via a jet bridge, or, in some cases, travel by bus to a remote stand where the aircraft is parked. Gate assignments are managed by the airport in coordination with the airlines, and changes can occur due to weather, aircraft changes, or operational needs. Passengers are informed through flight information displays and announcements.

Facilities around gate areas typically include seating, nearby restrooms, snack bars, and shopping outlets. Signage, screens, and public-address announcements help passengers follow boarding procedures, gate changes, and boarding groups. Accessibility features such as ramps, elevators, and assistance services are provided to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility.

Security and border controls influence gate access. In most airports, gate areas are part of the secure zone and require a valid boarding pass to enter. For international departures, passport control and security checks are completed in accordance with local procedures, with gate areas remaining controlled until boarding is complete.

In practice, lähtöportteja function as the final point of departure within the terminal, bridging the passenger journey from check-in and security to boarding the aircraft. See also: airports, terminal, boarding process.