airside facility

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

An airside facility refers to the operational areas of an airport directly involved with aircraft. This includes runways, taxiways, and aprons, where aircraft land, maneuver, and park for loading and unloading passengers and cargo.123

Key airside services and support facilities include:
* Lighting and navigational aids for safe takeoffs and landings.14
* Meteorology, fire and rescue services.1
* Aircraft maintenance and airport maintenance.12
* Air traffic control.12
* Apron handling, passenger transfer, baggage and cargo handling, fueling, and catering.123

These airside operations are distinct from landside facilities, which encompass passenger and cargo terminals, parking, roads, and public transportation access.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

airport
Modern airports
Support facilities on the airside of the field include meteorology, fire and rescue, power and other utilities, aircraft maintenance, and airport maintenance. Landside facilities are the passenger and cargo terminals and the access system, which includes parking, roads, public transport facilities, and loading and unloading areas.
Read More
Support facilities on the airside of the field include meteorology, fire and rescue, power and other utilities, aircraft maintenance, and airport maintenance. Landside facilities are the passenger and cargo terminals and the access system, which includes parking, roads, public transport facilities, and loading and unloading areas.
Read More