Airports Under Control: How Many Are There?

A towered or controlled airport has a control tower where air traffic controllers are based. Pilots are required to maintain two-way radio communication with the controllers and to follow their instructions. The number of aircraft operations determines whether an airport needs a tower. In the United States, there are close to 20,000 non-towered airports compared to approximately 500 airports with control towers. Globally, the majority of airports are small facilities without a tower.

The US has the most airports in the world

The United States has the most airports in the world, with a staggering 15,873 airports across the country. This is over three times the number of airports in Brazil, which comes in second place with 4,919 airports. The US also boasts some of the world's biggest airports, with vast stretches of land accommodating multiple runways and terminals to handle the high volume of air traffic.

The US's vast land area, comparable to that of Europe, makes air travel a popular mode of transportation for many Americans, especially for long-distance vacation and business travellers. It is estimated that 90% of Americans have flown at some point in their lives, making air travel a common and widespread means of transportation across the country.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, is located in the US and handled 50.9 million passengers on 341,835 flights per year. That's nearly 1,000 flights per day! Other US airports among the world's busiest include Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

The large number of airports in the US not only facilitates domestic travel but also contributes to the country's role as a global business and tourism hub. With thousands of airports, the US offers convenient travel options for both Americans and international visitors alike.

Airports are major employers and hubs for tourism

Airports are major employers, with nearly 1.2 million people working across 485 commercial airports in the US alone. Some of the largest hubs in the world have rosters in the tens of thousands. For example, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the largest employer in the State of Georgia, has a workforce of approximately 63,000 individuals serving around 5.5 million passengers monthly. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest single-site employer in the UK, with over 76,000 workers. If you include indirect workers, the airport supports 114,000 local jobs, accounting for about 22% of local employment.

Airports are also important hubs for tourism. They have transformed from mere transit spots into essential parts of the tourist industry. They are central to marketing destinations, understanding that concrete and runways alone won't attract travellers and airlines. Airports promote international tourism by showcasing a destination's unique attractions and helping airlines see the potential for profitable routes. They also improve the accessibility of tourist areas, swiftly and conveniently making remote places accessible. Air travel, often considered a budget-friendly way to explore the world, has greatly increased the convenience of reaching popular tourist destinations.

The efficiency, design, services, and ambiance of an airport significantly affect how tourists perceive a destination. A clean, well-managed airport with efficient check-in and security processes can create a positive initial experience. Modern, spacious, and visually pleasing airports contribute to a more positive atmosphere. Airports offering shopping, dining, lounges, and entertainment amenities enhance the tourist experience, especially during layovers or delays.

Additionally, airports serve as cultural ambassadors by showcasing local cultures through art, music, and displays, giving tourists a glimpse of what to expect in the region. They have evolved into hubs offering excellent dining, shopping, and entertainment choices, enabling travellers to unwind and have a good time. Airport shopping offers a wide range of options, from luxury boutiques to duty-free stores with substantial savings. Airport dining caters to diverse tastes, offering both regional and global cuisines, with options for fine dining and fast food.

Airports also provide various premium and VIP services, such as express check-in and dedicated check-in counters, usually reserved for premium passengers and frequent flyers. Airline lounges offer complimentary refreshments, workspaces, and relaxation areas, with some even providing spas, yoga rooms, and fitness centres.

Airports play a vital role in shaping the overall tourist experience, from arrival to departure, and their development benefits tourism. It improves accessibility by creating new routes and connections, attracting more tourists and supporting the local tourism industry. Airport development also promotes airline competition, resulting in more affordable airfares and increased demand. Airports often become hubs for various transportation options, making travel more convenient for tourists.

Furthermore, airport development creates jobs in construction, operation, and the broader tourism sector, stimulating local economies and infrastructure growth, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Airports are vulnerable to extreme weather and climate change

There are close to 20,000 non-towered airports in the United States, compared to approximately 500 airports with control towers. Airports with control towers that do not have 24/7 air traffic control (ATC) services follow non-towered airport procedures when the tower is closed but the airport remains open, such as at night.

Airports in coastal regions are also at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global sea levels are projected to rise by 52-98 cm by 2100 if emissions continue to grow. This threatens to inundate vulnerable airports in low-lying areas, including some of the world's busiest airports in cities like New Orleans, Palm Springs, and Key West in the United States, as well as Yancheng Nanyang International Airport in China and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

Climate change is already affecting airports in the Arctic, where thawing permafrost is damaging runways, making takeoff and landing unsafe. Additionally, changes in weather patterns are increasing the likelihood of ice buildup, necessitating higher costs for de-icing chemicals. Airports are responding to these challenges by implementing various measures, including building higher runways and seawalls, improving drainage systems, and investing in infrastructure upgrades to adapt to changing conditions.

Airports are divided into landside and airside zones

The airside zone, on the other hand, is tightly controlled. It includes all parts of the airport around the aircraft, as well as restricted sections of the buildings for staff and travelling, airside shopping, dining, or waiting passengers. Access to the airside zone is restricted to passengers with a valid boarding pass, crew members with an airline ID, and staff with a valid AIC Card. In addition, they must not be carrying any items that pose a threat to others or the aircraft. Depending on the airport, passengers and staff may be required to undergo security or border control checks before entering the airside zone.

The runway, taxiway, and ramp/apron are also considered part of the airside zone. The runway is where aircraft take off and land, and it is made of soft grass, asphalt, or concrete. Taxiways are paths that connect the ramp/apron to the runway, and the ramp/apron is the area used for parking aircraft and accessing them for boarding and alighting.

Some airports may also have remote parking stands or areas that are located away from the terminal building, and passengers need to take a bus to get there. These stands are still considered part of the airside zone.

In addition to the two main zones, there is also the Security Restricted Area (SRA), which includes the areas beyond the security checkpoint, such as the gates, duty-free shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants. Within the SRA is the Critical Part of the Security Restricted Area (CPSRA), which is further controlled and restricted to airport crews only.

Airports have a complex system of aircraft support, passenger services, and aircraft control services

Airports are complex operations that require a range of services to ensure the safety and efficiency of aircraft, passengers, and crew.

Aircraft support services are essential to the smooth operation of an airport. These services include aircraft maintenance, such as the work of mechanics and engineers, as well as fuelling, de-icing, and cleaning. Support services also include air traffic control, which is a complex system in itself. Air traffic control (ATC) is provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace. Their primary purpose is to prevent collisions, organise and expedite air traffic, and provide information to pilots. Controllers monitor aircraft locations using radar and communicate instructions and advisories to pilots via radio. They also enforce traffic separation rules, which ensure aircraft maintain a safe distance from each other.

ATC operations are conducted in either the English language or the local language, depending on the region. The first airport to introduce air traffic control was Croydon Airport in London, England, in 1920. Today, most airports have an air traffic control tower, a tall, windowed structure from which controllers visually observe and direct aircraft and vehicles on the ground and in the air near the airport. Larger airports may also utilise surveillance displays, such as radar systems, to assist controllers in managing air traffic.

In addition to aircraft support services, airports also provide a range of passenger services. These services include check-in and gate services, where staff are the first point of contact for travellers and assist with tasks such as check-in, boarding, and gate management. Passenger services also encompass special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, such as the use of wheelchairs and electric carts, and accompanying passengers with disabilities through the airport and to the aircraft. Lounge hospitality is another important passenger service, providing travellers with amenities and a comfortable waiting area.

Furthermore, airports offer a range of services to ensure the security and safety of passengers, staff, and aircraft. These services include document verification, aircraft security searches, and baggage and cargo screening. Lost and found services are also typically available at airports to assist passengers in locating misplaced items.

The complex system of aircraft support, passenger services, and aircraft control services at airports ensures the safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people and goods around the world.

Frequently asked questions