Both of them guarantee the necessary level of safety for their passengers and are used to carry out aircraft flights. However, these two words are not synonymous and have different meanings. What is the difference between an airport and an aerodrome? Consider the meaning of each of these concepts separately.
Airfield
An aerodrome is a place on land or water where planes and helicopters take off and land.
The concept of "airfield" implies the presence of not only an airfield and runways, but also an air transport control complex. Airfields can be both private and public property. By appointment, they are of two types: military and civilian use.
All operating airfields are divided into main airfields, operational and alternate airfields.
All activities of airfields are guided by state regulations. The commissioning of new and control of already operating airfields is carried out by authorizedthe field of civil aviation authorities. After checking for compliance with all existing standards, aerodrome facilities are awarded certificates and certificates, on the basis of which the state body subsequently gives approval for admission to the operation of airports and aerodromes.
Airport
What is the difference between an airport and an airfield? A typical airport consists of an airfield, an air terminal, and adjacent facilities for aircraft maintenance.
The terminal space includes many services and facilities designed for the needs of the airport. These are restaurants, shops, waiting rooms, representative offices of various airlines, customs and border services, passenger and cargo terminals, etc.
Based on the total number of all arriving and departing passengers for the year, all airports are assigned classes:
| Passenger exchange per year, people | Airport class |
| 7-10 million | I |
| 4-7 million | II |
| 2-4 million | III |
| 500K - 2M | IV |
| 100K - 500K | V |
The activities of each airport are regulated not only by government regulations, but also by the strict rules of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The main differences between an airport and an aerodrome
So, summing up all the information about how an airport differs from an aerodrome, we can conclude that an airport is a more general concept, and an aerodrome is a narrower one. An airfield can function as a hotel unit without an airport. By definition, there cannot be an airport without an aerodrome, since it is aerodromes that perform the main function of airports.
| What is the difference between an airport and an airfield? | |
| Airport | Airfield |
| The space in which operational activities related to the arrival, departure and servicing of flights are carried out. Includes airfield and train station. | Space intended for takeoff and landing operations, as well as ground movement and aircraft maintenance. |
| Guided by International Air Transport Association (IATA) rules. |
Guided by safety principles only. |
| Offers many amenities to passengers such as restaurants, shops, etc. | Does not provide amenities to passengers. |
