Airports: Navigating Their Categorization And Classification

Airports are categorized based on several factors, including the level of commercial passenger traffic, the size of aircraft they can handle, and their ease of access. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has a system for classifying public-use airports, including general aviation airports, primary commercial service airports, and cargo service airports. Airports can also be categorized as regional or local, with local airports being predominantly used for flight training. Additionally, the Aerodrome Reference Code (ICAO) and the Airplane Design Group (FAA) provide classifications based on aircraft size, while the Rescue Fire Fighting category (ICAO) and Airfield Rescue Fire Fighting category (FAA) consider the accessibility and difficulty of operating at an airport. Understanding airport classifications is essential, especially for pilots in training, as it provides insight into the diverse functions, infrastructure, and economic contributions of different airports.

Airport classifications

Commercial Service Airports

Commercial service airports are publicly owned and must have at least 2,500 passenger boardings each calendar year to be classified as such. They must also receive scheduled passenger services. Commercial service airports are further categorized into primary and non-primary airports.

Primary Airports

Primary airports are commercial service airports that handle more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year. They are subcategorized into non-hub, small hub, medium hub, and large hub primary airports, based on the number of passenger boardings as a fraction of the national total.

Non-Primary Airports

Non-primary airports are those that handle between 2,500 and 10,000 passenger boardings annually.

Cargo Service Airports

Cargo service airports are those that exclusively handle the air transportation of cargo, with a total annual landed weight of more than 100 million pounds.

Reliever Airports

Reliever airports are large general aviation airports located in metropolitan areas that serve to offload small aircraft traffic from hub airports in the region.

General Aviation Airports

General aviation airports are at the bottom end of the AIP funding spectrum. To qualify for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding, they must have at least 10 aircraft based there but handle fewer than 2,500 scheduled passengers each year.

Part 139 Airport Classification

The FAA also classifies airports based on the type of air carrier operations served. Class I airports serve all types of scheduled operations of large air carrier aircraft, while Class II airports serve scheduled operations of small air carrier aircraft and unscheduled operations of large air carrier aircraft. Class III airports are newly certificated, and Class IV airports are those that have maintained an AOC after losing scheduled large air carrier aircraft service.

Aircraft size

Airports are categorised based on their functions and economic contributions, and the types of aircraft they can accommodate. Aircraft size categories are based on wingspan, tail height, and outer main gear wheel span.

The first element is a numeric code based on the Reference Field Length, with four categories. 'Field length' refers to the balanced field length (when the take-off distance equals the accelerate-stop distance) or the take-off distance, if the former does not apply. The second element is a letter code based on either the aircraft wingspan or the outer main gear wheel span, whichever is more restrictive. This element is often used on its own due to its direct relevance to detailed airport design.

Aircraft Design Group (ADG) is another categorisation system that seems to be based solely on wingspan and tail height. For example, the A380 has been classified as a Category 5 or 6 aircraft, depending on the publication.

Ease of flying in and out

Airports can be categorised based on how easy or difficult they are to fly into and out of. An airport that is easy to fly in and out of, such as Kent International (Manston) in the UK, is typically characterised by its quiet surroundings, flat terrain, and reasonably long runway with good instrument approaches to both ends.

On the other hand, an airport that is difficult to fly in and out of, like Innsbruck, may be situated in a challenging location, such as a narrow valley. This can create issues in terms of workload and difficulty, especially during adverse weather conditions or when circling is required due to obstacles in the surrounding area.

The ease of flying in and out of an airport is also influenced by the size of the aircraft. Airports are designed to handle different sizes of aircraft, ranging from small planes like the ATR-72 to larger ones like the Airbus A380. The Rescue Fire Fighting category (ICAO) and the Airfield Rescue Fire Fighting category (FAA) are important considerations for the safe operation of aircraft at airports.

Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has a system for categorising public-use airports based on commercial passenger traffic. This includes primary airports, which handle more than 10,000 passengers annually, and non-primary airports, with between 2,500 and 10,000 passengers per year. Reliever airports, which offload small aircraft traffic from hub airports, are another category.

Furthermore, airports serving scheduled operations of small air carrier aircraft or a mix of air carrier operations fall under Class II or Class III, respectively, according to the Part 139 Airport Certification process. Class I airports serve all types of scheduled operations, including large air carrier aircraft with at least 31 passenger seats.

Commercial service

Non-primary airports, on the other hand, handle between 2,500 and 10,000 passengers annually. These categories, including primary and non-primary airports, account for over 15% of AIP-funded airports in the US.

Another category of airports that falls under the commercial service category is reliever airports. These airports are designated by the FAA to relieve congestion at commercial service airports and improve general aviation access for the community. Reliever airports are often large general aviation airports located in metropolitan areas, serving to divert small aircraft traffic from hub airports in the region. They make up about 10% of AIP-funded airports.

It is important to note that the term "airport" encompasses more than just an area for aircraft landings and take-offs. According to the FAA, it includes all the associated facilities and infrastructure, such as buildings, rights of way, and other appurtenant areas.

Cargo service

Airports are categorised based on their functions, economic contributions, and activity levels. One such category is "Cargo Service Airports", which are airports that provide air transportation of cargo with a total annual landed weight of more than 100 million pounds, in addition to any other air transportation services.

Huntsville International Airport, for example, has two runways and 1 million square feet of cargo ramp space, allowing for simultaneous operations. It offers weekly international non-stop cargo service to Europe, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The airport has nearly 300,000 square feet of space dedicated to cargo operations, including cold storage facilities for pharmaceuticals and other perishable goods.

UPS Air Cargo is another significant player in the airport cargo services industry, serving over 200 airports worldwide.

Frequently asked questions