Brief History of airports.

The earliest aircraft takeoff and landing sites were grassy

fields. The plane could approach at any angle that provided a
favorable wind direction. A slight improvement was the dirt-only
field, which eliminated the drag from grass. However, these only
functioned well in dry conditions. Later, concrete surfaces would
allow landings, rain or shine, day or night.
The United States possesses the largest, most
extensive aviation system in the world with more
than 18,000 airports, ranging from large commercial
transportation centers enplaning more than 30
million passengers annually, to small grass strips
serving only a few aircraft each year. Of these, 3,304
are designated as part of the national airport system
and are therefore eligible for federal assistance. The
federal interest in capital investment for airports is
guided by several objectives, most notably ensuring
safety and security, preserving and enhancing the
system's capacity, helping small commercial and
general aviation airports, funding noise mitigation
and protecting the environment.
What is an airport?
An airport is an aerodrome with facilities for
flights to take off and land. Airports often have
facilities to store and maintain aircraft, and a control
tower. An airport consists of a landing area, which
comprises an aerially accessible open space including
at least one operationally active surface such as
a runway for a plane to take off or a helipad, and
often includes adjacent utility buildings such
as control towers, hangars and terminals. Larger
airports
may
have fixed-base
operator
services, airport aprons, taxiway bridges, air traffic
control centers, passenger facilities such as
restaurants and lounges, and emergency services.
An airport with a helipad for rotorcraft but no
runway is called a heliport. An airport for use
by seaplanes and
amphibious
aircraft is
called
a seaplane base. Such a base typically includes a
stretch of open water for takeoffs and landings,
and seaplane docks for tying-up.
An international airport has additional facilities
for customs and passport control.
In warfare, airports can become the focus of
intense fighting, for example the Battle of Tripoli
Airport or the Battle for Donetsk Airport, both taking
place in 2014. An airport primarily for military use is
called an airbase or air station.
What is its importance?
Today it is one of the gateway to a country, it is
mostly utilize its facilities for transport. Either
domestic or international, it is widely used for its
convenience. Since its the gateway of a country or
state this is what welcome them, an airport that
shows their culture or hospitability before they leave
or before they enter the area.
For economic purposes, it increase the speed of
trade with foreign countries and due to its efficiency
it is also possible to increase imports and exports for
some perishable goods. It is also a commencement
of tourism industry which will gladly accommodate
more tourist. Finally increase in local employment
opportunities.
It will also bring in foreign culture to know more
about the world and it may also promote our local
culture to the visitors. It has more information inflow

and flow learning from each other. Increase of

mobility for the people for those who want to relax
and go to a vacation or for those looking
employment outside the area or country.
Airports are sometimes converted to an airbase
for the military use, or a school for the aspiring
aviation trainees.
Example of famous Airport
The current airport that is ranked number 1 is
the Singapores Changi Airport. Singapore Changi
Airport connects customers to over 200 destinations
worldwide, with 5000 arrivals and departures a week
by 80 international airlines.
Singapore's International Airport at Paya Lebar,
Singapore's third main civilian airport after Seletar
Airport (main airport from 1930 to 1937) and Kallang
Airport (193755) opened in 1955 with a single
runway and a small passenger terminal. With growth
in global aviation transport, the airport was facing
congestion problems. Its inability to cope with the
rising traffic became critical by the 1970s; annual
passenger numbers rose dramatically from 300,000
in 1955 to 1.7 million in 1970 and to 4 million in
1975.
The government had two options: expand the
existing airport at Paya Lebar or build a new airport
at another location. After extensive study, a decision
was made in 1972 to keep the airport at Paya Lebar,
as recommended by a British aviation consultant.
Plans were made for the building of a second runway
and an extensive redevelopment and expansion to
the passenger terminal building. A year later,
however, the plans were reviewed again as the
pressure to expand the airport eased because of the
1973 oil crisis.
Airports in the Philippines
These airports are considered the busiest
according to the Department of Transportation and
Communications.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA
also known as Manila International Airport, is the
airport
serving
Manila
and
its
surrounding
metropolitan area. Located along the border between
the cities of Pasay and Paraaque, about 7
kilometres (4.3 mi) south of Manila proper and
southwest of Makati, NAIA is the main international
gateway for travelers to the Philippines and serves as
a hub for AirAsia Philippines, AirAsia Zest, Cebgo,
Cebu Pacific, PAL Express, and Philippine Airlines. It
is managed by the Manila International Airport
Authority, a branch of the Department of
Transportation and Communications.
The MactanCebu International Airport located
in Central Visayas region, is the second busiest
airport of the Philippine and one of the top 20
airports in the ASEAN region in 2011.[citation
needed] It is located in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan
Island, part of Metro Cebu. The airport is managed
by the MactanCebu International Airport Authority.
It covers an area of 797 hectares (1,970 acres).
Problem of the NAIA Airport
The NAIA is considered to be full of problems
due the under maintained facilities which causes
burdens to the passengers. It also has 2 runways but
the current load of passengers requires more, even
wants to expand the current location of the NAIA
forbids it. It is surrounded by residential area which
cant just be relocated.