ABSTRACT
This chapter takes a closer look at the different capacity drivers at an airport, in order to understand the complexity of airport capacity management; synchronizing the separate logistic channels into an efficiently used airport. It is divided in two parts: airside capacity, defined by the number of aircraft movements that the airport can handle, versus landside capacity, the number of passengers that that airport can handle. Capacity management at airports often contain a hidden paradox: in order to increase the throughput, systems should ensure a fast handling of a passenger. In order to maximize the non-aeronautical revenues, airports try to increase the amount of time spent at that airport by the passenger. Airside capacity is about aircraft using the airspace around the airport for departing or arriving, using the airport’s runway for take-off and landing, and using the taxiways for taxiing to and from the apron.
