Owais Crawford
Major airports are often international airports, which are airports with customs and border control facilities that enable passengers to travel between countries. They are usually larger than domestic airports and have longer runways to accommodate heavier aircraft. These airports often serve both military and commercial purposes, and their operations are influenced by factors such as technology, politics, economics, and geography. The location of an airport is important, and while they are generally associated with a city, they may be located in smaller towns outside of the city they serve. The viability and functionality of an international airport are impacted by technological advancements, and they may be decommissioned when they reach capacity or become inadequate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | An international airport is an airport with customs and border control facilities enabling passengers to travel between countries. |
| Size | International airports are usually larger than domestic airports. |
| Runway Length | Longer runways to accommodate heavier aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. |
| Military Use | Some international airports serve military purposes in addition to commercial aviation. |
| Services and Amenities | Transportation connections like rail networks, taxi and shuttle services, and public buses are crucial. Large parking areas are also common. |
| Safety and Health | Medical facilities are essential, especially for controlling transmissible diseases. |
| Busiest Airports | Rankings vary, but some of the busiest airports in the US include ATL, LAX, ORD, DFW, and JFK. |
| Airport Categories | Non-primary, reliever, and general aviation airports; primary airports are further classified into large, medium, and cargo service hubs. |
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What You'll Learn
International airports
The world's first airport fully powered by solar energy is located in Kochi, India. As sustainability efforts gain traction, airports are exploring alternative energy sources and their potential for biomass production. International airports also play a crucial role in controlling transmissible diseases, with measures regulated by ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the WHO's International Health Regulations (IHR).
Examples of international airports include:
- O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, USA
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Spain
- Cairo International Airport, Egypt
- Charles de Gaulle Airport, France
- Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, USA
- Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, USA
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, USA
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US and Canadian airports
The US and Canada are home to some of the world's best and busiest airports. Airports in the US that offer scheduled passenger services and handle over 10,000 passenger boardings per year are classed as primary airports by the Federal Aviation Administration. These primary airports are further classified into four "hub" types based on the number of enplanements, or commercial passenger boardings: Large Hubs, Medium Hubs, Small Hubs, and Non-Hubs. Large Hubs account for at least 1% of total US passenger enplanements, generally 18,500,000 or more passengers. Medium Hubs account for between 0.25% and 1% of total US passenger enplanements, generally serving between 3,500,000 and 18,500,000 passengers. Small Hubs account for between 0.05% and 0.25% of total US passenger enplanements, generally serving between 500,000 and 3,500,000 passengers. Every US state, except for Delaware, has at least one primary airport.
Some of the major international airports in the US include:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Toronto Pearson Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, located in Mississauga, Ontario, about 20 kilometres west of Toronto. It has five runways and two active terminals, with a passenger capacity of around 47 million per year. It serves as a hub for major Canadian airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet, connecting Canada to numerous global destinations. Vancouver International Airport, located on the west coast of Canada, is another major airport, serving as the country's gateway to Asia and Oceania. Montréal-Trudeau International Airport has also experienced significant growth, now serving over 22 million passengers annually, with nearly 16 million on international flights.
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Busiest airports
International airports are airports with customs and border control facilities, enabling passengers to travel between countries. They are usually larger than domestic airports, with longer runways, and have facilities to accommodate heavier aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. These airports often host domestic flights, which help feed passengers and cargo into international flights and vice versa. International airports sometimes serve military as well as commercial purposes. For example, Canton Island Airport in the Phoenix Islands served as a military airport during World War II and was later used as a refuelling stop by commercial aircraft.
Some notable international airports include:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: This airport is the busiest in the world, with 108 million passengers in 2024. Atlanta serves as a connecting hub for domestic and international travellers due to its position between North America, Europe, and Latin America.
- O'Hare International Airport in Chicago: This airport has seating and waiting areas located away from the terminal building, with passengers shuttled to the terminals. These areas are referred to as ground transportation centres or intermodal centres and typically include amenities such as restrooms, seating, ticket counters, and food and beverage sales.
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Spain: This airport features an internal motorized moving footway to transport passengers between terminals.
- Cairo International Airport, Egypt: This airport has a curbside passenger pick-up area at Terminal 3.
- Charles de Gaulle Airport in France: This airport features a rail service at Terminal 2.
The busiest airports in the world, including Atlanta, together transported 855 million passengers, or 9% of global traffic. Air travel has surged past pre-pandemic levels, but it continues to face challenges such as staffing crises, tech outages, and aircraft incidents.
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Airport facilities
One of the critical aspects of airport facilities is cleanliness and maintenance. Specialist teams are tasked with keeping the airport terminals and airline premises clean and comfortable for passengers. This includes regular cleaning and maintenance services, as well as pest control and landscaping to maintain the airport grounds.
Security is another key area of focus for airport facilities. Airport security agents are responsible for aircraft surveillance and protection, terminal security, and perimeter security, including car park security. They work in cooperation with national authorities to implement adapted security solutions to ensure the safety of everyone within the airport.
Additionally, airport facilities encompass the various amenities provided for passengers and staff. This includes eateries and restaurants, such as the Panda Express in Terminal 1 of the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, as well as restroom facilities and employee break rooms. Airports also feature parking lots for travellers, with some airports investing in overflow parking to accommodate increased flight connections.
Furthermore, airport facilities involve significant investments in infrastructure upgrades and modernization. For example, the Yakima Airport in Washington is undergoing a $10 million upgrade that includes a new roof, improved HVAC units, and a modernized baggage claim system. These improvements aim to enhance the overall airport experience and address issues such as leaks and temperature control.
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Airport categories
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a system for categorizing public-use airports, heliports, and other aviation bases based on the level of commercial passenger traffic. The FAA's categorisation system helps determine eligibility for funding through the federal government's Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
Primary Airports
Primary airports are commercial service airports that handle more than 10,000 passengers each year. These airports are further subcategorized into:
- Nonhub primary: Airports handling over 10,000 but less than 0.05% of the country's annual passenger boardings.
- Small hub primary: Airports with 0.05–0.25% of the country's annual passenger boardings.
- Medium hub primary: Airports handling 0.25–1% of the country's annual passenger boardings.
- Large hub primary: Airports handling over 1% of the country's annual passenger boardings.
Non-primary Airports
Non-primary airports are identified with a role in the national airport system based on their activity. There are five roles: National, Regional, Local, Basic, and Unclassified. Non-primary airports handle between 2,500 and 10,000 passengers annually.
Reliever Airports
Reliever airports are large general-aviation airports located in metropolitan areas that offload small aircraft traffic from hub airports in the region.
General Aviation Airports
General aviation airports are at the bottom end of the FAA's categorisation system. To qualify for the AIP, they must have at least 10 aircraft based there but handle fewer than 2,500 scheduled passengers each year.
International Airports
International airports have customs and border control facilities, enabling passengers to travel between countries. They are usually larger than domestic airports, with longer runways, and can accommodate heavier aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. International airports sometimes serve military purposes and are affected by technological developments, politics, economics, and geography.
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Frequently asked questions
An international airport is an airport with customs and border control facilities, allowing passengers to travel between countries. International airports are usually larger than domestic airports and have longer runways to accommodate heavier aircraft, such as the Boeing 747.
Airports in the United States that provide scheduled passenger services and have over 10,000 passenger boardings per year are classified as primary airports by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Commercial service airports are publicly-owned airports with at least 2,500 passenger boardings each calendar year and receive scheduled passenger services.
The FAA uses the term 'hub' to identify busy commercial service airports. Large hubs are airports that account for at least 1% of total U.S. passenger enplanements. Medium hubs account for between 0.25% and 1% of total passenger enplanements.
Some examples of major international airports include O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport in Spain, Cairo International Airport in Egypt, and Charles de Gaulle Airport in France.
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