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LEARNING MODULE
BLENDED FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Operations Management in Tourism and Hospitality Industry (OPEM 311)

AN OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Did you know airplanes have a home, just like you do? It’s called an airport. From the
spectacular ocean approach to Japan's Kansai International Airport to the high altitude arrival
into Denver International's ‘mile high’ airport in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the United
States, there is no doubt that an airport can provide an impressive entry point to a traveller's
destination. Airports have a number of customers, all of whom, including the airlines, have one
primary mandate: to keep their end-users satisfied. In this module, you will learn about what
airports are, their purposes, and who owns and operates them. You may be quite surprised at
how interesting and multi-dimensional they are as a commercial venture. This will also help you
understand the interface between the passenger and the airport, on which we will take you
through the sequence of steps that passengers must take when departing from an airport. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. To discuss the departing passengers’ processes.
2. To define the meaning of airport.
3. To identify who owns and operates an airport. 
4. To describe physical layout of a typical airport.

LEARNING RESOURCES

https://www.scribd.com/read/261207169/Introduction-to-the-Airline-Industry-This-eBook-
contains-everything-there-is-to-know-about-the-airline-industry#

LEARNING INPUTS

LESSON 5 AIRPORT: MEANING & OWNERSHIP

What is an Airport?   

An airport is where all airplanes land, take off in the sky, and reside when they’re not flying.
An airport is made up of multiple buildings each serving specific purpose, including terminals,
gates, hangars, runways and some even have control towers. It is a complex of runways and
buildings for the takeoff, landing, and maintenance of civil aircraft, with facilities for passengers.

Airport Ownership  

Most of the world's airports are still owned by local, regional, or federal government bodies,
who then lease the airport to private companies. These companies oversee the airport's entire
operation, or part of the operation. This is often referred to as a government-owned/commercially
operated (GOCO) arrangement. Services which have been taken over by commercial, non-
government enterprises cover a wide range. These include services that are airline-related, such
as catering and maintenance, in addition to those that are passenger-related such as ground
transportation, parking, food concessions and retail stores. Some airports allow airlines to own
and operate their own terminals and maintenance facilities.

(Don’t forget to answer the Self – Check Question 2.1 and Activity 2.1!)

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 LESSON 6 PHYSICAL LAYOUT OF AN AIRPORT

Worldwide, airports of all sizes have a

basic organizational structure in common.
Every airport has a “landside”, “airside” and
“terminal” structure.

Landside
The landside of an airport is the part
accessible to everyone who comes to the
airport. It is also called the “groundside”, which
includes the general entry areas to the
airport, such as access roads and ground
transportation access (i.e., buses, trains, taxis,
limousines). It also encompasses parking areas, car rental pickup/drop-offs, traveller drop-
off points, restaurants, stores, currency exchanges and flight check-in. It has three major
functions. These are: 
 To provide ease of access to all the airport services and to the suppliers of those
services.
 To provide safe and adequate people and cargo drop-off and parking facilities. 
 To generate additional revenues for the airport operator (e.g., commercial leases,
services).

Airside
The airside is usually the side that has controlled access and is considered to be the
secure side. Airside areas include all areas accessible to aircraft, including runways, taxiways
and aprons leading to the ramp area adjacent to the airport terminal building structures. A runway
can be composed of grass, dirt, sand, gravel, asphalt or concrete, depending on its location in the
world, and on the size, weight and type of aircraft (i.e., jet, turboprop, and helicopter) landing at
the facility.  Planes use taxiways to get from the gate to a main runway for takeoff and from a
main run- way to the gate after landing. Parking areas for aircraft away from terminals are
generally called “aprons”. The area where aircraft park next to a terminal to load passengers and
baggage is known as a ramp (or “the tarmac”). Due to their high capacity and busy airspace,
international airports will have an air traffic control tower located airside on site.

Terminal
The terminal, which is divided into arrival and departure sections, provides a physical
structure which serves to control access to and from the airside.  Let's now take a look at the
airport terminal, which is divided into arrival and departure sections. 

A Simple, Linear Terminal  

 Arrival areas: Contain gates and baggage claim areas for domestic flights. For the proces
sing of international passengers, secure areas are added for customs and immigration
and baggage. 
 Departure areas: Contain passenger and baggage check-in facilities as well as pass- port
or departure security control and x-ray machines. 
 Gates and waiting areas: Allow for passenger boarding and deplaning where the air- plan
es park. Passengers wait in the immediate area of each gate to board the plane.
 Concourses: Are long halls, along which can be found large, open areas of shops, restau
rants, lounges, seating areas, restrooms and in some airports even children's play areas. 
 Airport freight processing areas: Are dedicated freight areas, which are also divided into
air and land sides, with similar security efforts and specialized staff in operations.
Passengers on commercial flights access the airside areas of the airport by passing
through the terminals, where they can purchase or validate tickets, clear security, and board
aircraft and/or check or claim luggage. The waiting areas, which provide passenger access to
the aircraft, are typically in the halls. At international airports, the secure airside areas  also
include passport and ticket control and advanced security screening for departing passengers.
Only ticketed passengers, airport and airline staff, and security personnel are allowed to enter it.
As far as the passenger is concerned, once he/she has gone through to these controlled or
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secured areas, it is usually impossible to leave again, except by boarding their plane. If someone
does leave the controlled or secure area, the entire screening and security process must be
repeated to return to the concourse. For arriving, or incoming passengers on international flights,
the airside areas include immigration, bag- gage pickup and customs.  
(Don’t forget to answer the Self – Check Question 2.2 and Activity 2.2!)

LESSON 7 PROCESSING OF DEPARTING PASSENGERS

Processing of Departing Passengers  

The Journey Begins…  

STEP 1: Arrival at the airport

a. Thepassenger arrives at the airport by car and drive
s to the multi – level car park in front of the terminal
building, where he parks his car and unloads his
luggage.
b. He takes an elevator up to the departure level and
makes his way along the curb in front of the terminal
building carrying his luggage. He decides to take a
baggage cart for his two pieces of luggage.
c. Opening the nearest door he enters the terminal
on the departure level, which is also known as the
check-in concourse. This is the area where
passengers register with the airline with which they
made a reservation.  
Note: Most checkin concourses follow similar design 
consisting of: 
 A concourse or long hallway with doors opening from the car park or roadway
outside, through which people enter with their luggage.
 A row of counters, placed parallel, or perpendicular to the building façade.
 A conveyance system for luggage, located at the rear of the counters.  

STEP 2: Check in at the airport counter

a. Upon entering the terminal, the passenger quickly locates the check-in area of the airline

he is flying with. He has a direct view of all the airline names and logos by looking down
the row of counters. He can check the overhead monitors/TV screens to see if the gate
number of his flight has been posted. It has not, as he has arrived earlier than  the two
hours requested by his airline.  
b. Reaching his airline's series of check-in desks, his next step is to locate the right counter
as there are several flights leaving for different cities and different counters processing
passengers according to the class of service they have booked in. Counter choices may
include different flight numbers, and different classes of passenger services such as
economy, business, first class, frequent flyers, and group tour check-ins.  
c. The passenger will line for his counter. Once he reaches the check-in counter, he
presents his passport for identification to the airline agent as he is flying with an
electronic ticket. Should our passenger still hold a paper ticket, he would also need to
present it to the airline agent. His ticket data is checked for validity and his
baggage weighed and labeled with his destination and put on the conveyor belt for
processing.
d. The attendant will give him a luggage claim ticket and issues a boarding pass, which
shows the number of the seat assigned to him, as well as the boarding gate and time his
flight leaves.  
e. Once the checks in formalities are complete, he can make some choices. He can go
shopping, maybe even play a game of virtual golf, or visit a restaurant for a cup of coffee
or a quick meal. He can even decide to make his way directly to the waiting area by his
aircraft departure gate, which is referred to as the “gate hold room” in some countries. In
any event it is the last point in the terminal before boarding the aircraft. There, he can
wait in a general seating area and enjoy reading his book until flight boarding time.  

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STEP 3: Commercial Facilities

Since only passengers and authorized employees can go through the security checkpoint to
buy from the stores on the airside, some concessionaires have set up stores on both the landside
and the airside of the terminal building designed to accommodate the needs of passengers, as
well as visitors and employees who are required to stay on the landside of the terminal.  

Available  commercial  services:

These consist of a variety of offerings providing passengers, employees and visitors with a range
of services. The amount, type, and quality of these concessions vary with the size of the terminal
and with local market conditions. The most common airport commercial services are: porters,
luggage trolleys, restaurants, bars, and cafeteria, foreign currency exchange, banking services,
travel insurance counters, business centers, including Internet and wireless access, specialty
shops (for clothing, shoes, candies, gifts, books, etc.) , newspaper stands, duty-free shops,
barber shops, hairdresser and beauty parlors, hotels (co-located with terminal), car rental
counters, television watching areas, amusement machines, pay telephone booths, post office,
and advertising displays.

Noncommercial services:
These are usually provided free of charge for the convenience of the travelling public. They
include: flight information displays, public address systems, information desks, seating areas, lost
luggage counters, toilets and baby changing facilities, drinking fountains (water).

STEP 4: Security screening

The most common pieces of equipment found in this area are: walk-through metal detectors,
complemented by hand-held detectors-ray equipment, and explosive detection equipment.

 Departing passengers’ carry-on luggage is being thoroughly checked for compliance with

the revised aviation security requirements. They will be asked to empty his pockets, place
any items in a small container on the conveyor belt and then all things on a conveyor belt
to go through the x-ray machine, so its contents can be visually checked.
 Meanwhile, the passenger will pass a walkthrough metal detector but still they will be
physically patted down by the security agent to recheck the entire length of his body with
a hand-held metal detector. At some airports, passengers would be required to remove
shoes.
 Once through security, depending on the size and layout of the terminal, he may find
himself near the departure gate, or he may be quite a distance away from it.  

STEP 5: Government Controls  

International Passengers: If a passenger is travelling internationally, his country requires all

outbound international passengers to go through an inspection of travel documents
before leaving the territory. In this case, counters are provided where his passport and boarding
card are scrutinized. 

STEP 6: Departure Gate: 
The passenger reaches the place where the airline assembles all the passengers for a particular
flight. They are assigned to every gate as indicated on their ticket. The departure area or gate
hold room is located immediately adjacent to the exit door. Since the wait may be lengthy, this
area provides rows of seats.  

STEP 7: Pre-Boarding Check: 

The pre-boarding check is the final step in the processing of departing passengers. Airline
attendants or gate personnel will verify each boarding pass as passengers go by them. This
check can be done manually, or with a special boarding pass scanner. Personnel may also verify
the identity of the boarding passengers by asking to see a passport, travel document, or some
other type of photo identity card.  

STEP 8: Boarding: 

After the final check of his passport and boarding card to ensure he is taking the correct flight and
has valid travel documents, the passenger gets to exit the terminal and access the aircraft.
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Depending on the airport and the type of aircraft, they will be flying on, they may be faced with a
number of possible boarding options

 A passenger jet bridge. This is the preferred option as it protects people from the
weather elements, it ensures security as passengers cannot mix with other people, and it
provides a safety element, as passengers cannot wander on the apron where an
accident with ground vehicles might occur. 
 A transfer vehicle, such as a bus or transporter. It is either parked on the apron adjacent
to the exit door, or is mated directly on the door. The latter option providing the same
degree of comfort, security and safety as a passenger jet bridge. 
 A walk from the exit door to the aircraft. This option does not provide protection from the
elements and it exposes passengers to some risk. Ground personnel guide and monitor
passengers for safety and security reasons. This option is often used at terminals and
gates where regional jets and propeller-driven aircraft operate.

(Don’t forget to answer the Self – Check Question 2.3 and Activity 2.3!)

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 MODULE 2
ACTIVITIES AND SELF - CHECK QUESTIONS
Operations Management in Tourism and Hospitality Industry (OPEM 311)

NAME: COURSE & YEAR:

CLASS SCHEDULE: DATE SUBMITTED:

SELF - CHECK QUESTIONS 2.1

How well did you remember what you read? Write the missing word in the space
provided.

1. The term ___________ has come to mean a ______________ (a surface used as an

air- craft take-off or landing facility) that has been specifically licensed, for commercial
aviation operations, by a responsible national government organization. 

2. Which of the following is NOT a function for a commercial airport? Circle all  answers that
apply. 
a. Provide an aircraft with the space required for a safe & secure take-off 
b. Provide training centers for the certification of pilots 
c. Offer facilities for processing freight 
d. Provide space for maintenance of aircraft

ACTIVITY 2.1

Let us test your knowledge! Answer the following questions briefly.

1. What is the nearest Airport in your city? Write the full name of the airport on the space
provided.

__________________________________________________________________

2. What is the most unique feature that you can see on the airport? Explain why in not more
than 5 sentences.

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

SELF - CHECK QUESTIONS 2.2

How well did you remember what you read? Write the missing word(s) in the space(s)
provided.
1. An airport usually has three basic components in its physical lay-out,
the _____________, the ___________________, and the
_________________ structure. 
2. Which of the following describe the landside of an airport? Circle all answers that apply.

a. Everyone should be able to access this part of an airport. 

b. It provides a safe drop-off point for people and cargo. 
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 c. It serves to create additional revenues for the airport operator. 
d. It provides a transition point to the secure “airside” of the airport. 

3. Which of the following describe the airside of an airport? Circle all answers that apply. 

a. This side has controlled access and is considered to be the secure side.
b. It includes runways which are oriented to prevailing wind patterns.
c. It includes taxiways, which are parking areas for aircraft away from terminals. 
d. This side would include an air traffic control tower. 

4. Which of the following are NOT considered to be part of the terminal area of  an airport?
Circle all answers that apply. 

a. Concourse 
b. Arrival area 
c. Departure area 
d. Parking apron

ACTIVITY 2.2
Let us test your knowledge!
Create a DIAGRAM of the all the airport structures that you needed go through from the
arrival at the airport to boarding.

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 SELF - CHECK QUESTIONS 2.3
How well did you remember what you read?

Place the following steps in proper sequence, showing the order in which a departing passenger
is processed at the airport. Place the correct step number in the space(s) provided.  

Step Number  Step 

  Security screening 

  Commercial Facilities-Landside 

  Arrival at the airport 

  Commercial Facilities-Airside 

  Check in at the airport counter 

  Boarding 

  Pre-Boarding Check 

  Departure Gate 

  Government Controls – International Passengers

ACTIVITY 2.3
Let us test your knowledge!
Write the importance of each areas intended for departing passengers. Explain in not more than 2
sentences.

A. Arrival Area

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

B. Check in Counter

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

C. Commercial Facilities

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
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 D. Security Screening

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

E. Immigration

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

F. Departure Area

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

G. Boarding Gate

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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