An airport is structurally divided into three primary zones: Landside, Airside, and the Ramp. The Landside area is the public-facing side of the terminal, including the check-in counters, baggage claim, and ground transportation; it is accessible to anyone, regardless of whether they have a ticket. The Airside area begins immediately after the security checkpoint and includes the departure gates, duty-free shops, and passenger lounges; this zone is restricted to "cleared" passengers and authorized personnel. Finally, the Ramp (often called the Tarmac or Apron) is the exterior operational area where aircraft are parked, fueled, and loaded. In 2026, the "boundary" between Landside and Airside is becoming increasingly digital, with biometric gates replacing traditional boarding pass checks. Understanding these zones is crucial for travel logistics: your "travel time" ends at Landside, but your "security time" begins at the threshold to Airside, where the most stringent safety regulations of the aviation industry are enforced.
The International Air Transport Association is a trade association of the world's airlines founded in 1945. IATA has been described as a cartel since, in addition to setting technical standards for airlines, IATA also organized tariff conferences that served as a forum for price fixing.