AIRPORTS · CLASSIFICATION
Airport Functional Classification
The WAIS Airport Functional Classification (AFCS) classifies airports according to the primary function they perform within the aviation system.
7 APPLIED TYPES · 4 RESERVED CATEGORIES
ABOUT THE CLASSIFICATION
The WAIS Airport Functional Classification (AFCS) provides a common framework for identifying and comparing the functional roles of airports. Each airport is assigned a type according to its Primary Airport Function — the role that most strongly defines its position within the aviation system.
Functional types are not determined by passenger traffic alone and do not form a hierarchy of airport importance. Airports of different sizes may perform similar functions, while airports with comparable traffic volumes may occupy very different positions within the aviation system.
FUNCTIONAL AIRPORT TYPES
AFCS currently applies seven functional types to major commercial airports.
GHB
GLOBAL HUB
Global and intercontinental connecting function.
TGW
TOURIST GATEWAY
Access to major tourism destinations.
REG
REGIONAL AIRPORT
Regional and local connectivity with the wider air transport system.
CGO
CARGO AIRPORT
Dominant freight and logistics function.
NHB
NATIONAL HUB
National or major subnational connecting function.
CAP
CAPITAL AIRPORT
Connectivity associated with the governmental and administrative role of a national capital.
ISL
ISLAND AIRPORT
Structurally important external connectivity for an island or island community.
RESERVED CATEGORIES
MIL — Military Airport · GEN — General Aviation Airport · HEL — Heliport
Reserved categories provide for extension of AFCS to a broader range of aviation facilities beyond its current application to major commercial airports.
CLASSIFICATION PRINCIPLES
PRIMARY FUNCTION
Classification reflects the function that most strongly defines an airport’s role within the aviation system.
FUNCTION, NOT SIZE
Traffic volume is an important measure of airport scale, but does not by itself determine functional type.
NO HIERARCHY
Functional types represent different forms of airport function rather than levels of importance.
COMPARABILITY
A common classification makes it possible to compare airport roles across different national, regional and global aviation systems.
WAIS 001 · PUBLICATION
Airport Functional Classification: Concepts, Systems and Methodology
The complete WAIS publication presents the concepts, terminology, functional types and methodological framework underlying the Airport Functional Classification.
