Analysis of construction and operation of airports

UDC 656.71:725.394(045)

I.D. Pichkurova

(National Aviation University, Ukraine)

Analysis of construction and operation of airports

An analysis of airport expansion and construction projects was conducted, taking into account the necessary stages of construction. The main objectives of the airport were established and were taken into account in the plan of construction and operation of airports.

Basic requirements, assessment and criteria for choosing a site for airport construction

The main requirements for the construction and operation of airports include safety, efficiency and sustainability of their operation. Let's take a closer look at the main requirements for the construction and operation of airports:

• Security is the most important requirement for any airport. The construction of the airport must comply with international safety norms and standards, such as those of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Airport security must be ensured through appropriate infrastructure and technology, as well as through security on board aircraft and on the ground.
• Efficiency - the airport must be efficient in the use of resources, time and money. Efficiency must be ensured by appropriate planning, organization and use of infrastructure, as well as technologies for the distribution of resources and coordination of work.
• Sustainability - the airport must be sustainable in its operation to ensure its efficiency and safety in the long term. Sustainability must be ensured through the development and application of sustainable airport management strategies, technological innovation, risk management and environmental sustainability.
• Environmental friendliness - airports must ensure a minimal impact on the environment, in particular by reducing noise, emissions and other pollution. [1]

Evaluation and selection of a site for the construction of an airport is an important step in the process of airport development. Site evaluation involves taking into account a variety of factors, such as geographical, climatic, geological, technical and socio-economic.

The main criteria for choosing a site for the construction of an airport:

• Geographical location: The plot should be located in a convenient place for access to the city and other settlements, as well as be convenient for the use of highways, railways and sea transport routes.
• Size: The site must be large enough to accommodate all the necessary airport infrastructure, such as terminals, runways, aircraft parking areas, traffic roads, checkpoints and other facilities.
• Terrain: The site must have a flat or gently sloping terrain to ensure the safety of aircraft takeoff and landing maneuvers.
• Climatic conditions: The site must have a favorable climate that ensures the safety and comfort of aircraft and passengers. For example, to ensure the safe take-off and landing of an aircraft, there must be sufficient visibility and the wind must not exceed the established norms.
• Environment: The site must be ecologically clean and not located in the zone of ecological danger or pollution. [2]

Types of airport capacity and their interdependence

Taking into account modern technologies and current standards, as a result of the design of the airport, its operational software is determined, which can be expressed in different ways: the software of the "runway - taxiway - apron" system (Fig. 1), the productivity of passenger and cargo terminals or aircraft maintenance services. [3]

Operating software is limited, first of all, to flight safety requirements.

[pic 1]

Fig.1. Typical operating software of the airport

At the stage of designing the construction or reconstruction of the airport, economic software is actually a basic characteristic and is defined in the technical task.

So, if there is a real need for air transportation in the region where the airport is located, or the demand for air transportation grows faster than the airport is developing, then the economic software is the optimal value between such a need and the economic possibility of its implementation, that is, an effective software.

The economic software should be understood as the maximum number of aircraft, passengers, cargo and mail that can be served in a certain period of time with the existing infrastructure of the airport under certain economic conditions.

Environmental software means limiting operational software in such a way that environmental protection requirements are met. The environmental carrying capacity of the airport is expressed by the maximum number of airships that are maintained for a specified period of time under specified environmental restrictions.