Airports are facilities generally used to regulate air traffic and take off and land aircraft. We have compiled some basic terms about airports for you.
Runway: A concrete or asphalt area where aircraft take off and land.
Taxiway: Special roads used for aircraft to pass from the runway to terminal buildings, maintenance areas or other runways.
Apron or Platform: The area in front of or around the terminal buildings where aircraft are parked and passengers and cargo are transported.
Terminal Building (Terminal): The building where passenger and baggage transactions are carried out and where passengers board the planes.
Air Traffic Control Tower (ATC Tower): The tower that regulates air traffic and controls landings and takeoffs.
Apron Control Tower: The tower that controls the maneuvering and parking operations of aircraft on the apron (platform).
Construction Area: The area where new projects or maintenance work are carried out at the airport.
Taxiway Lights: Light systems used for safe maneuvering of aircraft on taxiways.
Radar Systems: Radar systems used for air traffic control ensure safe air traffic by determining the position of aircraft.
Weather Station: Stations that monitor and report weather conditions, providing information to pilots and air traffic controllers.
Hangars: Closed areas used for the maintenance, repair and storage of aircraft.
ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service): Automatic Terminal Information Service is an automatic voice service system that provides pilots and other air traffic participants with the current weather conditions of the aerodrome, runway status and other important information.
FBO (Fixed-Base Operator): Fixed Base Operator is an enterprise that generally provides services for private aircraft and provides facilities such as fuel, maintenance and hangar space.
VFR (Visual Flight Rules): Visual Flight Rules, weather conditions under which pilots fly with visual references.
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules): Instrument Flight Rules, weather conditions under which pilots operate their flights using navigation and instrument systems.
TSA (Transportation Security Administration): The Transportation Security Administration is an organization that enforces air transportation security measures in the United States.
NOTAM (Notice to Airmen): Announcement to airmen, notifications containing temporary or long-term changes in airfields, hazards and other important information. For more information, see What is Notam? You can review our article called
TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast): Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, a meteorological report stating weather expectations at an airport.
Ramp Control: The unit or controller that manages the taxi and parking operations of aircraft on the apron (platform).
Transit Terminal: The terminal where passengers change from one flight to another.
Headline (Jetway or Boarding Bridge): A movable bridge that allows passengers to safely transition from the terminal building to the plane.
Regional Airport: An airport that is generally located near major cities and serves regional air transportation.
Aerodynamic Runway (Aerodrome Reference Code): A code determined based on the dimensions of an airfield and characteristics such as the aircraft’s wingspan and wheel base width.
Air Traffic Control Services: Services that direct aircraft and regulate traffic at airports and airspace.
Airspace: The volume of air located in a specific area and regulated by air traffic control.
Control Aerodrome: An airport where air traffic control services are provided.
Declared Route (Declared Distances): Declared values in which the length of the runway, usable landing distance and other important distances are measured according to a certain standard.
Ministerial Approval: Official approval required for the activities of an airport and usually given by the civil aviation authority.
Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS): A system that automatically monitors and reports weather conditions.
Flight Information Region (FIR): A specific region of the airspace is an area where air traffic control services are provided.
Approach Control: Air traffic control service that controls the landing and approach processes of aircraft.
Aircraft Maintenance Area: A special area at the airport where aircraft maintenance and repair are carried out.
Airport Code: The airport name specified by three-letter abbreviations (IATA code) or four-letter abbreviations (ICAO code) used for international air transportation.
These terms refer to the basic infrastructure and operations at airports. The terms used at airports are determined in accordance with international standards and generally use rules and terminology set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
