AIRLINE BUSINESS

• Airport


  Also called air terminal, aerodrome, or airfield, site and installation for the takeoff and landing of aircraft. An airport usually has paved runways and maintenance facilities and serves as a terminal for passengers and cargo.
• Domestic airport


  Only able to handle flights within the same country. They do not have customs, immigration, or quarantine capabilities and therefore unable to handle international arrivals and departure flights.
• International airport


  Designed to handle international arrival and departure flights. Generally, international airports also handle domestic flights. They are also equipped with infrastructure designed to accommodate larger aircraft which are used for long-haul flights.
• Evolution of Airport


  1. Before World War II, airports had relatively simple requirements

  2. Early airports were also popular leisure destinations

  3. Long-distance air transport was primarily handled by large seaplanes known as flying boats or clippers

  4. The majority of airfields worldwide are relatively simple

  5. Over 100 airports worldwide handle at least 10 million passengers annually

  6. To meet the growing demand for air travel, large transport aircraft with multiple jet and turboprop engines have been developed
• Modern airports


  • Need to be conveniently located close to major population centers but far enough away to prevent environmental issues like noise pollution from becoming intolerable to nearby cities
• Airport geography


  • Landside
  • Airside
  • Departure
  • Arrival
• Landside


  Open to the public, connected to ground transport access and egress. Consists of check-in counters or kiosks, baggage drop-offs, restaurants, and shops. The arrival hall located at the landside area consists of baggage claim, greeting areas, tourist information counters, and car rental companies.
• Airside


  Restricted and includes areas around aircraft and parts of buildings accessible only to passengers and staff. Security checks are required to enter the airside area. Consists of waiting areas near the gates, lounges, shops, and restaurants.
• Flight Information Display System (FIDS)


  A computer system used in airports to show real-time flight information to passengers. It controls display boards or screens inside or around airport terminals, and virtual versions can be found on airport websites and teletext systems.
• Left Luggage


  A location where the passenger may pay to temporarily deposit their baggage at the airport for a period of time.
• Ground handling


  Addresses the many service requirements of an airliner between the time it arrives at a terminal gate and the time it departs on its next flight. Speed, efficiency, and accuracy are important in ground handling services in order to minimize the turnaround time.
• Check-In Counters


  The process where passengers, upon arriving at the airport, hand over any baggage not allowed in the aircraft's cabin and receive a boarding pass before boarding.
• Airport Ticketing


  Airlines offer ticketing sales services within airport terminals, usually near check-in counters or in designated areas. These offices provide reservation and ticketing services to passengers.
• Boarding Gate


  Where passengers turn in their boarding passes and proceed to board the aircraft. It is located after the security and immigration section (in international airports) within the airside departure area.
• Waiting Area


  Gates may include waiting area for passenger before boarding their flight.
• Airline & Airport Lounge


  Facilities at airports offering selected passengers comforts beyond the terminal such as comfortable seating, quieter environments, and better access to customer service.
• Arrival


  The location the passenger enter after the disembark from the aircraft. Ground agents are required to prepare for the arrivals passengers, including notifying passengers of new travel information, providing assistance to passengers who have connecting flights, handling reserved wheelchairs, providing baggage carousel information, and generally guiding the flow of passengers.
• Transfer Desk


  Similar to a check-in counter but located within the arrival airside area. Provides check-in service to passengers who have immediate connections but who do not hold an onward boarding pass due to the lack of bilateral agreements between airlines.
• Lost and Found


  Located in the baggage carousel area. Passengers can report lost bags, and the airline is responsible for lost bags.
• Weight and Balance


  Located at a back office of the airline within the airport terminal. Ensures that the aircraft's weight is below the maximum allowable weight and that it is evenly distributed.
• Load Control


  Located at the back office of an airline. Responsible for preparing flights for check-in, including editing flights, providing seating arrangements, ordering meals, and arranging for any special services required.
• Meet and Assist (MAAS)


  A personal VIP service providing a professional greeter to accompany travelers through the airport. They help passengers navigate through airport security, paperwork and physical challenges.
• Airport Authorities


  The management organization that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all the facilities within the airport terminal.
• Meet and Assist Services


  Ensure that every airport experience is as smooth, quick and easy as possible, while still complying with full airport security
• Who Uses Meet and Assist

  • Celebrities and VIPs who wish to stay out of the public eye
  • Business travelers & frequent fliers who have tight schedules
  • The elderly or those with limited mobility
  • Nervous travelers who need assistance with unfamiliar procedures
  • Those who may need language assistance
  • Mothers with young children who require an extra pair of hands
  • Wealthy travelers who are used to having staff to assist
  • Any traveler who wants to Fast Track and avoid long lines
  • Unaccompanied minor
• Airport Authority


  A management organization that manages an airport, responsible for the operation and maintenance of all the facilities within the airport terminal
• Immigration


  The people traveling from one country to another, also called "passport control" or "border control", the main duty is to control the movement of citizens and visitors into and out of the country
• Customs


  Responsible for the safety and collection of duty fees on goods brought across international borders
• Airport Security


  Professionals that are required to supervise several security programs and implement them in airports, inspect, monitor, and screen all passengers to make sure that safety is maintained