Airport is a large and complex organism that allows efficient service of passengers and goods. It is worth to take a closer look at separate entities operating at an airfield to learn about the rules of its functioning.

At an airfield, we can deal with the following entities:

Airport

Airport – often called airfield operator or airfield owner – is a legal entity that within the scope of regulations in force administers the area of the airport, sets rules of functioning of other companies on the territory of the airfield, organizes air and passenger traffic, manages terminals. The scope of operations of companies administering airports is strictly specified – in Poland by Aviation Law Act of 3 July 2002 and executive orders to the Act.

Other independent companies servicing air traffic function within the Airport.

Airlines

Airlines are companies functioning within the framework of strictly specified regulations of international law and law of a particular state, where they are registered. These companies are responsible for transport of passengers and goods between various airports.

A passenger purchasing a ticket for a given flight becomes a client of an airline, while an airline is the main client of both an airport and other companies functioning within it. This is the reason why an airfield administrator and other companies functioning within it care about as efficient and good passenger service as possible.

Handling Agents

Handling Agents are companies functioning on the territory of an airport, which deal with passenger service at passenger terminal (luggage clearance, ticket control) and apron area (transporting passengers to a plane, loading and unloading of luggage and goods).

Quality of direct service of passengers of airlines depends mostly on how employees of a handling agent work.

In Poznań, POZAS Company (www.pozas.pl) is responsible for ground service of passengers.

Passengers of SAS Airline on the territory of the terminal are serviced by SAS Handling Company.

Customs and borders service

In order to ensure highest standards of air traffic security, every passenger undergoes a detailed control during check-in at the passenger terminal. Before loading, every piece of luggage is checked for occurrence of pyrotechnical materials and other objects whose transport is prohibited or is subject to duty fee.

Officers of customs and borders service who work on the territory of the Airport are responsible for such operations.

Police

Police officers protect passengers on the territory of the passenger terminal and other buildings located in the vicinity of the airport.

Catering

Catering company is responsible for preparing and delivering meals on board of planes. Airlines make use of services of catering companies to ensure highest comfort of flight for their passengers.

At numerous airports, catering companies also run their own bars and restaurants.

On the territory of the Poznań Airport, Mocny Catering Company runs its business (www.mocny.com.pl).

Fire brigade

Every Airport strives to ensure maximum safety for all people who make use of its services. Airport Fire Brigade is an independent fire and rescue unit with specialist fire extinguishing equipment. Moreover, airport rescue service supervises operations of refuelling of planes.

Security – Airport Security Guards
Airport Security Guards (SOL) are specialised units that guarantee safety of passengers, airplanes and workers. SOL members work on the entire territory of the airfield. They are also responsible for control of people entering restricted areas of the airport.