The Difference Between an Airport and an Aerodrome? Every airport has an aerodrome, but not every aerodrome has an airport. Let’s explore the difference between an airport and an aerodrome and the different types of each. To begin with, both words contain the Greek root “aero” (in full form “aeros”), which means “air.”
Which Came First – the Airport or the Aerodrome?
The word “airport” is a compound word that consists of the Greek “aero” (air) and “port” (from the Latin “portus”) – meaning a harbor or a dock, essentially an “air harbor” or “air dock.” The second part of the word “aerodrome” – “drome” (from Greek “dromos”) – means street or road. So, an aerodrome is essentially an “air road.” Both concepts are closely related but not identical.
Aerodromes emerged almost simultaneously with the first airplanes (then called aeroplanes). Initially, simple flat areas of land were used for aircraft takeoff and landing, but it soon became clear that these areas needed to be specially equipped. The first aerodrome in Russia was the Gatchina Aerodrome near St. Petersburg (established in 1908). The second one appeared near Moscow on the infamous Khodynka Field, where in 1896, a stampede during celebrations for the coronation of Nicholas II resulted in nearly 1,500 deaths. The Khodynka Aerodrome officially opened in 1910 and remained in operation until 2003 (later known as M. V. Frunze Aerodrome).
The Key Difference Between an Airport and an Aerodrome
An airport is a complex of buildings and facilities designed for the departure, arrival, and servicing (technical maintenance, refueling, etc.) of aircraft. It includes various structures such as:
- Airfields
- Cargo terminals
- Hangars
- One or more airport terminals (specialized buildings for the reception, departure, and accommodation of passengers)
Comparison
An aerodrome is a facility that includes infrastructure and special equipment for aircraft takeoff and landing. It is located near an airfield consisting of runways and areas for aircraft parking and taxiing (moving to the runway). A special case is aerodromes for seaplanes, which do not have conventional runways; instead, they use water surfaces for takeoff and landing.
Aerodromes are classified based on several factors, including ownership (private, state, military, etc.), purpose, and capability to accommodate different types of aircraft. The most illustrative classification is by purpose, as it provides a clearer understanding of modern aerodromes:
- Civilian aerodromes – handle passenger and cargo aircraft; they vary in classification based on the size and weight of aircraft they can accommodate.
- Military aerodromes – serve as bases for military aviation, including aircraft operated by the Ministry of Defense or Emergency Services.
- Training aerodromes – used for training military pilots, navigators, and aviation technicians; sometimes they are combined with military aerodromes.
- Sports aerodromes – used for aviation and parachuting sports.
Since an airport is a large complex in which an aerodrome is just one component, it is classified according to various parameters. The most common classification is based on annual passenger traffic. There are five classes:
- Class I – 7 to 10 million passengers per year
- Class II – 4 to 7 million passengers per year
- Class III – 2 to 4 million passengers per year
- Class IV – 500,000 to 2 million passengers per year
- Class V – 100,000 to 500,000 passengers per year
If an airport handles fewer than 100,000 passengers per year, it is considered unclassified. If it serves more than 10 million passengers annually, it is classified as superior to all classes.
