Understanding Airport Infrastructure and Process

What is an Airport?

An airport is a specialized facility constructed and set up to facilitate air travel. It is designed to facilitate aircraft arrival, departure, ground services, passenger processes, baggage and cargo processing, security and safety processes, immigration, emigration, document checks, border control and all other services and facilities required for safe and secure air travel.

Airport Infrastructure and Process

Before taking a flight, understanding basic airport infrastructure and processes is both necessary and interesting. Let us look at what to expect in an airport during air travel. Different airports have several different layout and location of facilities. The setup and facilities in most airports is given below:

Airport Setup and Facilities

• Airport City Side, Kerb Side or Land Side
• Passenger, VIP, Cargo terminal, and Military terminal in some airports
• Reservation and Ticketing counters, Travel agencies, Currency Exchange
• Shopping, Retail and Convenience store
• Pharmacy, Clinic and Emergency services
• Check-In counters, Self-Check-In Counters and Kiosk
• Emigration, Customs and Security check
• Duty Free shopping, Food outlets, Lounge, Hotel and Spa
• Boarding Gates and passenger holding area
• Aircraft parking bays/stand
• Airbridge/Aerobridge/Boarding bridge
• Arrival hall, Baggage claim area, Baggage reclaim belts
• Transit Area, Transit Gate and Transit Lounge
• Immigration and Customs
• Secure Luggage storage, Luggage lockers and Left luggage facility
• Taxi, bus, train, sightseeing, city tour and other transport facilities
• Bicycles, E-scooter, EV and car rental

The process flow or activity flow for a passenger will be like this:

Airport Process and Activity Flow

• Arrive at city side of your Airport Terminal
• Check Airport Information and Flight Information boards
• Enter the Passenger Terminal from the specified terminal gate
• Proceed to designated Check-In counters or Self-Check-In area
• Handover or drop check-in bags
• Go through Security Check if traveling domestic
• Go for Customs, Emigration, Security Check for international travel
• Proceed to the assigned Boarding Gate
• Board the flight within the specified time
• Aircraft doors close and departure of the flight
• Deplaning on arrival through airbridge or by airport bus
• Immigration and Customs clearance checks for international passengers
• Baggage carousel and baggage belts at baggage claim area in arrival hall
• Shopping, Duty-Free area and Food Court
• Transit gate and Transit lounge for transit or onward passengers
• Airport transfer to other terminals and other airport
• Money Exchange, Bank, Clinic and Pharmacy
• Taxi, Bicycle, EV, and Car rental
• Metro, Train, and Bus station

And to end this blog

• Report or reach the airport as per timings specified by the airport and airline
• Check and follow signage and directions to move around
• Complete Check-In and other formalities on time and do not rush
• Enjoy the airport amenities, art, shopping, entertainment, and food
• Board the flight on time, do not miss the flight