Mehrabad Airport: Everything You Need to Know

Airport Layout and Infrastructure

Mehrabad Airport stands as one of Tehran’s two main airports and has a significant influence on domestic air travel in Iran. It can accommodate up to 15 million passengers each year and provides flights to 24 destinations. The airport’s setup and facilities aim to boost operations and enhance passenger experience.

Runways and Taxiways

Mehrabad Airport has two runways side by side pointing at 290 degrees and 110 degrees called 29R&11L and 29L&11R. The 29R&11L runway is 3996 meters long and 45 meters wide. The 29L&11R runway stretches 4041 meters and has a width of 60 meters. This runway includes an Instrument Landing System (ILS) making it the top choice for most flights.

The airport’s east and west aprons can hold around 50 mid-sized planes. A main taxiway links these runways to different terminal buildings and other facilities making it easier for planes to move around.

Air Traffic Control

To keep operations safe and running , Mehrabad Airport has a flight control tower with Retion and Aria radars. The air traffic control (ATC) system monitors and directs planes on the ground and in the sky. It’s crucial to remember that the distance between the centers of the two runways is 222 meters. This falls short of the standard gap needed for planes to land and take off at the same time, which creates problems for air traffic controllers.

Maintenance Facilities

The airport has cutting-edge machines and gear in its security and fire departments making sure it’s ready for any surprises. Mehrabad Airport’s upkeep facilities include hangars, repair shops, and storage spaces for spare parts and supplies. These allow technicians to fix and service planes and airport equipment.

Terminal Layout

Mehrabad Airport has six passenger terminals each with its own job:

1. VIP Terminal: for government flights.
2. CIP Terminal: Open to passengers with special services.
3. Terminal 1: Handles departures .
4. Terminal 2: Serves Iran Air, Meraj Airlines, Qeshm Air, and Ata Airlines flights.
5. Terminal 4/6: Manages departures and arrivals for all other airlines.
6. Terminal 3/5: Functions during Hajj seasons .

The airport houses the main offices of Iran Air, the Iran Civil Aviation Organization, and the Iranian Airports Company. You can find the Iranian Airports Company office close to Terminal 2.

Airlines and Routes

Mehrabad Airport plays a key role in Iran’s domestic air travel connecting many places across the country. It handles various airlines and flight paths making it essential to Iran’s air transport system.

Domestic Carriers

Mehrabad Airport hosts many different domestic airlines giving travelers plenty of choices for their trips. Some of the main airlines that fly from this airport are:

1. Iran Air: Iran’s national airline, with a wide range of domestic flights.
2. Mahan Air: A major private carrier that flies from Mehrabad.
3. Iran Aseman Airlines: The biggest airline at Mehrabad International Airport operating about 142 scheduled flights each week.
4. ATA Airlines: Flies to many places across Iran.
5. Caspian Airlines: Links Tehran to several Iranian cities.

Other key airlines include Kish Air, Qeshm Air, Taban Air, and Zagros Airlines, to name a few.

Popular Destinations

Mehrabad Airport links Tehran to many cities across Iran. The most popular destinations include:

1. Mashhad: This route has the most departures, accounting for about 15% of all weekly flights from Mehrabad International.
2. Isfahan: People love to visit this city for its culture and history.
3. Shiraz: This city is famous for its deep Persian roots.
4. Kish: An island that’s both a free trade zone and a hit with tourists.
5. Bandar Abbas: A key port city in southern Iran.

These cities, plus others such as Ahvaz, Tabriz, and Kerman, make up the core of Mehrabad’s domestic flight network.

Seasonal Operations

Mehrabad Airport handles year-round domestic flights, but some routes might change in frequency due to seasonal demand. For example, flights to popular vacation spots like Kish Island could increase during holidays. Still, the airport’s job as a crucial domestic hub ensures steady operations all year, with little effect from seasonal changes.

Keep in mind that Mehrabad International Airport does not handle international flights. Tehran’s other major airport, Imam Khomeini International Airport operates these.

Security and Safety Measures

Mehrabad Airport, like many airports around the world, puts into action a thorough approach to security and safety. This strategy with many layers includes various steps to protect passengers, staff, and infrastructure.

Passenger Screening

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses many security methods to keep transportation safe. These methods include ones you can see and ones you can’t. TSA starts its work long before you get to the airport. It teams up with intelligence and law enforcement groups to share info.

At the airport, checking passengers plays a key role in TSA’s multi-step safety plan. These checks aim to stop banned items and other dangers from getting into secure airport areas. Keep in mind that these steps can change over time. This helps deal with new threats and keeps transportation as safe as possible.

Baggage Handling

Proper baggage handling that’s both quick and safe plays a big role in how well airports work. Mehrabad Airport uses cutting-edge baggage systems that follow the rules set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These systems bring together different technologies to make sure everything runs and .

The baggage handling system has some key parts:

1. Tracking from start to finish: The airport keeps a close eye on every bag making sure it’s always under control and easy to find.
2. Machines do the work: The airport has machines that check bags in, move them on belts or trays, sort them, and give them back to passengers.
3. Smart computer programs: The airport uses top-notch software to manage how bags move around, which helps keep passengers happy.

Emergency Response

Mehrabad Airport knows how vital airports are when it comes to helping out during disasters. The airport takes part in the Get Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD) program, which aims to improve readiness for emergencies. This training helps groups and aid agencies involved in emergency and early recovery work to better grasp airport processes after a disaster strikes.

Key parts of emergency response include:

1. Leadership: Strong leaders are needed during the emergency phase.
2. Communications: Clear and quick ways to share info are a must.
3. Logistical efficiency: A good airport system combines leadership, communications, and smooth logistics.

The airport also promotes public involvement in security measures. Passengers are asked to alert staff about any suspicious behavior unattended luggage, or people trying to access off-limits areas. This “If You See Something, Say Something™” strategy helps to improve overall safety by getting travelers to participate in the security process.

Conclusion

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