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airside

American  
[air-sahyd] / ˈɛərˌsaɪd /

noun

  1. the part of an airport used by aircraft for loading and unloading and takeoffs and landings.

  2. the area beyond security checks and passport and customs control in an airport terminal.


airside British  
/ ˈɛəˌsaɪd /

noun

  1. the part of an airport nearest the aircraft, the boundary of which is the security check, customs, passport control, etc Compare landside

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of airside

First recorded in 1955–60; air 1 ( def. ) + side 1 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Around the 370 of the workers are employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited as airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers.

From BBC May 21, 2026

Vinci, which runs Gatwick, said the tour was "early-stage concept proof" which coincides with the introduction of 47 new electric vehicles at the airport - including airside operations and engineering cars.

From BBC Jul. 12, 2025

“All people who go airside are subject to security screening, including the individual involved in this case,” a spokesperson told the outlet.

From Seattle Times Feb. 11, 2024

He said the move would be "rather inconsistent with running an airfield and airside operations".

From BBC Mar. 10, 2023

The 700 workers - involved in ground-handling, airside transport and cargo, and employed by Emirates Group's airport services subsidiary dnata and Menzies - will strike for three days starting from Nov. 18, Unite said.

From Reuters Nov. 14, 2022

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